Coconut dehusking
GENERAL INFORMATION
A large number of products can be manufactured from coconut. Desiccated coconut, coconut cream, Coconut Milk and Spray dried Coconut milk powder finds a good market not only in India but also in various other countries fresh coconut water, coconut water concentrate and coconut vinegar are also used extensively. Coconut milk is the liquid that comes from the grated meat of a coconut. The color and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content. Most of the fat is saturated fat. Coconut milk is a very popular food ingredient used in Southeast Asia, especially in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and South China.
Coconut Industry in Malaysia
In Malaysia, coconut is considered as the fourth important industrial crop after oil palm, rubber and paddy in terms of total planted area. It is also one of the oldest agro-based industries. As an industry, coconut contributes very little to the overall economy of Malaysia. Recent competition with oil palm for land has also resulted in the decline of total area under coconut cultivation.
Coconut Processing (Manual method)
Dehusking
Manual husking
The first stage of coconut processing is the removal of the husk. The most prevalent method is a manual one. It involves the removing of the husk by impaling the coconut on a sharp iron or wooden spike fixed in the ground. The spike is usually set at a slight angle at about 80 cm from the ground. Using both hands, the operator brings the coconut down sharply on the edge of the spike which pierces the husk and glances off the round end of the nut. The fruit is then twisted, thus loosening the husk. This work is hard, and calls for considerable skill and great wrist and arm strength. An experienced worker can dehusk approximately 1500-2000 units per eight-hour day. Figure 11.1 shows two typical manual dehusking tools.
Two types of manual dehusking tools
(a) This dehusking tool is
A large number of products can be manufactured from coconut. Desiccated coconut, coconut cream, Coconut Milk and Spray dried Coconut milk powder finds a good market not only in India but also in various other countries fresh coconut water, coconut water concentrate and coconut vinegar are also used extensively. Coconut milk is the liquid that comes from the grated meat of a coconut. The color and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content. Most of the fat is saturated fat. Coconut milk is a very popular food ingredient used in Southeast Asia, especially in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and South China.
Coconut Industry in Malaysia
In Malaysia, coconut is considered as the fourth important industrial crop after oil palm, rubber and paddy in terms of total planted area. It is also one of the oldest agro-based industries. As an industry, coconut contributes very little to the overall economy of Malaysia. Recent competition with oil palm for land has also resulted in the decline of total area under coconut cultivation.
Coconut Processing (Manual method)
Dehusking
Manual husking
The first stage of coconut processing is the removal of the husk. The most prevalent method is a manual one. It involves the removing of the husk by impaling the coconut on a sharp iron or wooden spike fixed in the ground. The spike is usually set at a slight angle at about 80 cm from the ground. Using both hands, the operator brings the coconut down sharply on the edge of the spike which pierces the husk and glances off the round end of the nut. The fruit is then twisted, thus loosening the husk. This work is hard, and calls for considerable skill and great wrist and arm strength. An experienced worker can dehusk approximately 1500-2000 units per eight-hour day. Figure 11.1 shows two typical manual dehusking tools.
Two types of manual dehusking tools
(a) This dehusking tool is