The Tanzanian coast has an abundance of coconuts & coconut trees - whole groves of coconut trees, farmed by the local people who rely on them as a source of income. I have watched coconut pickers shimmy up the tall trees to pick the coconuts - they go up and come down so quickly and with such skill - it is amazing to watch !I am holding half a fresh coconut above, to show the fleshy inside which is grated to release the sweet coconut flesh, this can then be dried or added to food or mixed with warm water and squeezed to extract a type of coconut milk and fat from it. When the coconut is first split in two however, it contains the coconut milk which is clear and looks exactly like water, and makes a most refreshing drink.
Here above is an example of the coastal coconut trees - in fact, this was the private strip of beach we had at our disposal when we stayed at the coast. This photo was taken from the water. Can you see how tall some of those trees are ? Many people are killed by falling coconuts (jokes aside !) and when you see how tall the trees are, and how heavy the coconuts are, you can believe it. Each day the trees are checked for loose coconuts to make sure that none fall on to the heads of unsuspecting sunbathers !Coconuts are used in everyday cooking here in Tanzania, especially along the coast and you will find everything from coconut rice to coconut chicken dishes, coconut buns, coconut beans and coconut pilau. If I ever had to survive on a desert island, as long as there were a few coconut trees around, I know I'd be alright !
