To mark World Coconut Day on Monday (September 2), people on TikTok are only just realising the fruit isn’t actually a nut. And it’s seriously blowing minds online
Coconuts are one of those exotic fruits we all love and cherish in our juices.
Whether you find it in your Piña Colada or fruit salad, coconuts can pretty much go with anything. Now to celebrate World Coconut Day on Monday (September 2), people on TikTok are quite literally going coconuts over one realisation.
In fact, foodies are only just realising what the fruit is actually made from. And to save you some time, coconuts don’t actually originate from nuts… In a clip, shared by user @ramonsmid who boasts 5,600 followers, a man said: “I searched up what is a coconut.
“To my surprise, an interesting fact is that coconuts is not in any shape a nut or tree nut. It’s not a walnut, it’s not a pecan, it’s not a nut. I found that really interesting. Imagine it’s just a fruit.”
The clip scooped 500 likes and dozens of comments since it was shared. One said: “Ohhhh s***, I never knew that about coconuts.” While another added: “Love your content bro.” And a third commented: “*laughing emoji* ‘It’s not a NUT’.”
Sadly the claims are true because coconuts are not botanical nuts, but are classified as a fruit. They are a subcategory of fruit called a drupe, which is down to its hard shell surrounding a seed and inner flesh. An example would be peaches, pears and almonds.
Coconuts have three layers around the seed, but when you buy one from a store, you’re usually only getting the innermost layer, called the endocarp. The endocarp is hollow and has a thin brown seed coat.
It’s also worth noting a nut can be defined as a one-seeded fruit. Meanwhile the Food and Drug Administration recognises coconuts as tree nuts, however, most people who are allergic to tree nuts can safely eat coconuts.
World Coconut Day is observed annually on September 2 and it’s a global celebration of the coconut, a fruit which has been revered for centuries for its versatility and numerous benefits.
We’re just as mind-blown as you are…
