The coconut palm is known as
Kalpa vriksha, meaning tree which gives all that is necessary for living.
Since nearly all parts of the tree can be
used in some manner or another. The coconut itself has many food uses, including milk, meat, sugar and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. Coconut water is consumed as a drink fresh from the coconut and it can also be used in recipes. The husk is being burned as fuel traditionally. Today a seed fibre called
coir is taken from the husk and used to make brushes, mats, fishnets, rope, carpets etc. A very potent fermented toddy or drink is also made from the coconut palm''s sap. Coconut oil, a particular type of fat made from dried coconut meat (copra), is used for commercial frying and in candies and margarines, as well as in non-edible products such as soaps and cosmetics.