The Uses of Coconut Leaves
This is my first post in a series that will focus on the many and varied uses of the coconut tree. To make things simple, I decided to start from the top. The top of the coconut, that is.
Coconut leaves are strong yet flexible. The leaves are actually fronds composed of numerous leaflets, which have a a flat part and a thin midrib. Fresh, each frond can make an excellent sail for a makeshift raft. One leaflet can also be used to make a pouch in which to cook and carry rice for the midday meal.
Each frond can be woven into a mat and used as walls and roofs on nipa huts, perfect for cooling off on hot humid days. They make great privacy fences too. The woven leaves can be fashioned into various products such as these: a journal cover and a bowl. Even the midribs aren’t wasted. Tied together, they make a superb broom, called a walis tingting in Tagalog. No household in the Philippines is complete without one.
Tags: coconut leaves, coconut uses
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Science Garden, PHILIPPINES
October 31st, 2006 at 10:58 pm
I just ate my dinner on a plate over a mat made of coconut leaves. A “ko-inkidink?”…No, most Pinoy homes here in the states have something in their curios and handicrafts collections made out of coconut leaves or shell. I still keep most of my black and white photos in my coco leaves portfolio. I used to carry this portfolio on job interviews, just to be unique from the other job applicants. But to a naughty pinoy kid, the dreaded walis ting-ting held up in nanay’s hand with her glaring eyes emitting red hot lazer beams pointed at your butt? means it’s time to cling to her leg and beg for your life or the cluster of wiry coco midribs tied together will leave a stinging mark on your behind as well as traumatize you the rest of your juvenile life!
October 31st, 2006 at 11:17 pm
when i was studying in the seminary in Tagaytay that is surrounder by coconut trees, is the ingenuity of one of the German priests who was teaching us said that the coconut tree is the tree of life and has plenty of useful things. one of the many things that he uniquely showed us is the midrib of the coconut leaves (tingting) that could be bundled up and be stacked up together and becomes a filter for the water that comes from the spring inside the seminary compound.very unique and very helpfu.
November 2nd, 2006 at 1:53 pm
the coconut tree is dubbed as “the tree of life” because of it’s many uses from the roots to the leaves.
June 16th, 2007 at 4:59 am
Where on Oahu can you purchase a ting ting?
July 31st, 2007 at 12:27 am
There’s this new released Book in the market called “COCONUT BOOK”.
Pictures over here: http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph/board/index.php?topic=31069.30
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 am
ganda ng opinion nyo
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
everything in a coconut can be utilized its leaves, midrib, palms even the roots has a medical use. the water in the coco nut is a good medicine for men suffering from UTI. coco oil can be alternate use for engines in homes too. the bunch holding the fruit of coco nuts is used as fuel in lieu of firewood. The coco trunk is excellent as support or main support in building homes.what else? there’s so much to elaborate
February 29th, 2008 at 10:22 am
[...] coconut leaves can be woven into mats, bowls and the walls of a nipa [...]
November 5th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Uhm…Ala lnG!
bYE!
I Luv It AnYway!