Because the three indentations on the furry fruit resemble the face of a monkey, early Spanish explorers called it coco, or “monkey face.”
The origin of this plant is subject to debate. However, coconut fossils have been traced to New Zealand as far back as 15 million years ago, and also have been recovered in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, India.
During World War II, coconut milk was used as a substitute for cow’s milk.
A coconut is the largest known seed in the world.
Trained monkeys are used in some areas of the world to harvest coconuts. Training schools still exist in Thailand, and competitions are held to determine the fastest harvester.
At one time, Pacific Islanders believed that the world was a large coconut.