“Why did the coconut stop in the middle of the road?”
“Because he ran out of juice!”
Although already a staple and primary ingredient in Eastern cuisine, the popularity of this meaty fruit has only increased in Western culture over the last couple of years. What was once just a standard at your local novelty tiki bar or Indian restaurant is now in almost every American home.
Known for their versatility, coconuts and their individual parts have an abundance of uses.
They are different from other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" that may be harvested for drinking. When mature, coconuts still contain water but also can be processed to provide oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and coir from the fibrous husk. As development continues, cellular layers create edible coconut "flesh," which is utilized to make coconut milk. Dried coconut flesh takes the form of shredded coconut - the perfect ingredient for cakes and pies. Yum! For more information on individual forms of coconut, visit here.
Coconut + Your Health
Coconuts also have a variety of health and beauty benefits:
+Prevent obesity
+Reduce sweet cravings
+Maintain heart health
+Aids digestion
+High in dietary fiber
+Increase energy
+Contain lauric acid - which can kill bacteria and viruses
+Protect hair/skin/nails from damage
+Can function as a sunscreen
Coconuts + Cuisine: How do I cook with it?
Coconut oil is a great alternative to conventional cooking oils because of it’s low-glycemic level, and bonus: it can withstand higher temperatures than other oils. Learn how to cook with coconut oil here.
Coconut milk is also is a great alternative to dairy. Use in the place of milk in all your favorite recipes for an exotic twist, or replace your boring creamer for a better cup o’ joe.
What Sets Spicemode Apart
Most curry sauces are typically prepared with the coconut milk already included. Not at Spicemode! We believe in leaving the coconut milk out because 1) We just want to give you all of the reduced aromatics sans fillers and 2) We don't know your preference and some peeps are allergic to coconut. What if we use too much or too little? What if you want to utilize our sauces without the taste of coconut? These are the questions we asked ourselves when creating small batches here at Spicemode. It’s your sauce, your rules.
New to both Spicemode and coconut milk? Try our Vindaloo Pinto Beans recipe - perfect for your Super Bowl potluck!
Spicemode's Pantry features ingredients + spices that are either featured in or are complementary to Spicemode's signature cooking sauces and seasonings.
