Blue beaches with swaying coconut palms and splendid violet and gold sunsets are the most fascinating idealization of tropical resorts in the Caribbean, and especially those of Cuba, where with a mojito and love at hand we agree that Paradise exists even if only in our dreams.
So we think that coconut trees are eternal and if we told you that they were not always there, in the case of our Island, maybe you would not believe it. Today, when these beautiful palm trees (Cocos nucifera) are scattered throughout the national territory and there are important emporiums promoted not only to beautify and make the landscape more romantic, but also because of their great economic value, in Baracoa and Niquero, in East Cuba and in Ciego de &Aávila and Caibarien, in the center of the country.
It is good to know that our first plants were possibly brought in the 17th century from Africa or Oceania. Although many experts argue today, trying to specify the origins of the tree palm genus and if it occurred in Asia or in American beaches, all located within the extensive tropical strip of the planet, with some exceptions.
Returning to Cuba, which by 2025 plans to have some 18,000 ha. under exploitation, we will say that the amazing region of Baracoa was an important exporter of fruits and resources derived from coconuts at the beginning of the 20th century.
An important source of income for private consortiums, after forest resources in general. The old plantations derived from the seedlings or fruits introduced in the 17th century had to be changed due to pests, over the years, and today more resistant varieties are known called green, yellow, copper and coffee with milk, in common language and a species called Honduran, because of its origin.
Among growers it is a respected and loved tree, because it offers the delight and food of its water and mass, with nutritional properties, wood to build houses and furniture in the middle of the countryside, raw material for activated carbon, and a source of beautiful handicrafts and a essential oil that has been properly refined and lowered its acidity is invaluable in cosmetics.
Nothing, that from its roots, to its stems, foliage and fruits, the coconut is useful and necessary to humans. In the Cuban fields they call it "the tree of 100 uses", who knows if it is not an exaggeration... For me it is true.
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