Found throughout the tropic and subtropic area, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many uses of its different parts. Coconuts are part of the daily diets of many people. Coconuts are different from any other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" and when immature they are known as tender-nuts or jelly-nuts and may be harvested for drinking. When mature, they still contain some water and can be used as seednuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and coir from the fibrous husk.

King coconut is short in stature and commonly found in Sri Lanka, and the nuts of which Sri Lankans regard as a "living pharmacy" is the most versatile and medically practical form of the coconut plant available. Sri Lankans sell and consume thousands of them on a daily basis.

In almost every Sri Lankan home irrespective of class, a king coconut palm swaying soothingly in the breeze is a common sight. Another familiar sight are the bunches of king coconuts displayed for sale in many wayside kiosk throughout the country.

the young coconut is a healthy substitution for many of the dairy products that we have eliminated.  Raw food is traditionally vegan.  Coming up with recipes that remind us of  the traditional recipes that call for cream, butter and cheese requires creativity with the ingredients that we do use, such as nuts and coconut.

Coconut flesh, coconut oil and coconut butter are healthy substitutions. Recent research as found that the saturated fat contained in coconut actually protects against heart disease, stroke and hardening of the arteries.

King coconut water has been used from time immemorial as an ayurvedic cure. One of the most common cures is a mixture of "aralu" powder (myrobalan) added to the water of one king coconut. This concoction acts as a very effective laxative.

This "aralu brew" according to Sri Lankan ayurvedic practitioners (also known as veda mahattayas) has the necessary properties to "expel heat from the body" therefore resulting in a feeling of freshness. This feeling of freshness according to the veda mahattayas is due to the brew’s ability to balance the body’s electrolytes.

Coconut Milk Powder is an excellent dairy alternative and absolutely delicious whether you constitute it in water, add it to a smoothie, or eat it straight.