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Kerala is located on the south western tip of India with
the Arabian Sea on the west and Western Ghats towering
500-2700m on the east. The State is divided into three
regions - the coastal lowlands, the fertile midlands and
the highlands. The lowlands of Kerala are networked by endless
backwaters and the deltas of forty-four rivers. The midlands
are rich with cashew, coconut, areca nut, tapioca, banana,
rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegetable plantations.
The forested high lands abound in tea, coffee, rubber and
spice plantations and wildlife reserves.
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The
name Kerala widely known as the "the land of coconuts",
derived from the Malayalam word "kera" which means
coconut. It is also known as the 'God's Own Country' boasting
its physical and natural attributes that attract a lot of
tourists every year from India as well as abroad. |
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Coconuts
in Kerala Cuisine:From
time immemorial, the coconut tree has been an integral
part of life for the people of Kerala and nowhere
is this more visible than in their food. Coconuts
in Kerala are used extensively in the delicious
cuisine of this state. The juice of the tender coconut
is drunk fresh, the soft flesh of the tender coconut
is eaten raw, and the mature flesh is grated and
added to curries or added as garnishing in either
fresh or fried form. Coconut oil is extracted from
the dry flesh of the coconut and is used for cooking
as its distinctive taste adds a special touch to
the cuisine of Kerala. The dried and desiccated
flesh of the coconut, called copra, is stored for
use in cookery and as offerings in temples. A favorite
drink made in Kerala is toddy or fermented palm
wine, which is extracted from the coconut palm.
Coconuts in Kerala are essential for the preparation
of favorite dishes such as coconut chutney, avial
(mixed vegetable curry) and fish moilee. A true
Malayalee cannot imagine what life would be like
without coconuts in Kerala.
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