What an incredible opportunity I had to visit the beautiful country of Sri Lanka. Not only did I get the chance to visit one of the plantations and factories where our coconut is grown and processed, but I also was able to travel, explore and learn about Sri Lankan culture as a whole. This trip was incredibly rewarding for all of these reasons. I left with a deeper connection to one of our main ingredients and a better understanding of how people on the other side of the world live.
First, take a look at some of my pictures from the coconut plantation. I was amazed by how wild and jungle-like it was! The process of coconut planting and harvesting is incredibly sustainable. There were trees there from 4 months old to 50 years old. Every part of the tree is used in Sri Lankan culture but also in the planting/harvesting process. Coconut husks (the outside shell) are used as fertilizer when a new tree is planted. The husks help retain moisture and keep the roots happy. I saw another way this is done where the husks are dried and used to build a mound where the tree is planted (that picture is in the next group). Also, Dried palm leaves are used to cover newly harvested coconuts while they wait to be taken to the factory. All in all, I was speechless during my tour from the vast beauty of the land!!
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| A view of the land, this one plantation was over 50 acres! |
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| The amazing property manager looking at a one month old coconut tree! |
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| Digging a hole for planting. |
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| Newly harvested coconuts! |
I left our plantation tour feeling so proud. Our supplier is not only very careful about the planting and harvesting of this amazing organic ingredient, but they do a lot of good for their local communities and for their employees. I am so happy that we support them!
Next, here are some of my sightseeing pictures. My friends and I had the incredible privilege of having a driver for the first four days of our trip. Our driver, Danny, took us all over the country to see some of the most beautiful tourist attractions I have ever seen. What is amazing about Sri Lanka is that you can literally drive three hours and be in a completely different landscape and climate. There is everything there: cities, mountains, beaches, desert. My favorite area (aside from the beach, of course!), was the Hill Country, where the mountain views were breathtaking! It is in this area where tea is grown. Tea is one of Sri Lanka's largest exports. Did you know that tea is just one plant? Green or black, it's all the same! Its in the drying, fermenting, roasting and cutting that makes each type of tea different. Please note, many of the places in the photos are many hours away from each other!
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| Coconut husk mounds in the Ayurvedic Spice Garden. |
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| Vanilla plants in the Ayurvedic Spice Garden |
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| Dambulla Cave Temple |
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| Inside one of the caves at the Dambulla Cave Temple. |
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| Monkeys and babies at the Dambulla Cave Temple. |
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| Elephants at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. |
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| Sigiriya Rock...ready for the big climb! |
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| From the top of Sigiriya Rock |
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| A mountain of tea! |
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| My favorite view from our drive in the Hill Country. |
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| Wild elephants in Yala National Park |
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| An elephant crossing sign! |
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| A traditional curry meal on the ocean! |
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| The glorious beach |
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| Views from the train from the beach back to the city. |
Coconut tree vs palm tree are often confused due to their similar appearance, but there are key differences between the two:
ReplyDeleteCoconut Trees (Cocos nucifera)
Trunk Appearance:
Coconut trees have slender, tall, and smooth trunks.
The trunk often leans or curves slightly.
They usually have visible ring-like scars from fallen leaves.
Leaves:
The leaves are long and feathery, known as fronds.
Each frond can grow up to 20 feet long.
Fruits:
Coconut trees bear coconuts, which are large, oval-shaped, and have a hard, fibrous shell.
Coconuts are typically green when young and turn brown as they mature.
Habitat:
Found in tropical regions, especially near coastlines.
Thrive in sandy soils and saline environments.
Palm Trees (Arecaceae family)
Trunk Appearance:
Palm trees have a variety of trunk appearances, ranging from thick and textured to smooth and slender.
The trunk may be straight or slightly curved, depending on the species.
Some species have a rough, fibrous texture, while others are smoother.
Leaves:
The leaves vary significantly among different species, from fan-shaped to feather-shaped fronds.
They can be short or very long, depending on the species.
Fruits:
Palm trees produce various types of fruits, such as dates (Date Palm), acai berries (Acai Palm), and betel nuts (Betel Nut Palm).
The size, shape, and color of the fruits vary widely among different palm species.
Habitat:
Palm trees are versatile and can be found in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions.
They grow in various environments, from rainforests to deserts.
Key Differences
Trunk: Coconut trees generally have smoother, more uniform trunks, while palm trees' trunks can vary widely in texture and appearance.
Leaves: Both have fronds, but the shape and size differ among species.
Fruits: Coconut trees specifically produce coconuts, while palm trees produce a variety of fruits.
Habitat: Coconut trees prefer coastal areas, whereas palm trees can be found in diverse environments.
Understanding these differences can help in identifying and distinguishing between coconut trees and other types of palm trees.