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| A unique Compact Green Dwarf from Katiu, French Polynesia, with edible husk (Kaipoa) |
Here is one of the most extraordinary varieties of coconut tree! In most coconuts, the husk (envellope of the fruit) is harsh and not edible. But sometimes, the husk of the young fruit is sweet and can be chewed like sugar cane. Its taste resembles that of coconut heart. Once the fruits are ripe, the husk fibres are white and particularly slender. There exist various names and various types, in which husk characteristics are more or less accentuated: some are more or less sweet, some are more or less tender...
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| The mature husk of Kaipoa varieties is whiter than husk of normal coconut. |
©R. Bourdeix, 2021, section CCHF.
For illustrating this section, we can produce on request at least one large size HD poster (up to 180x100 cm in size). These posters should be adapted to each country, on a case-by-case basis, in order to prominently feature locally produced coconut products, and to promote the marketing of these local products.
It is also possible to buy or rent items from the personal collection of Dr R. Bourdeix.
In the 2000’s, we visited numerous Pacific island in the framework of surveys organized by Bioversity International (formerly IPGRI). L. M. Fili and T.H. Hoponoa, from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Tonga, tell us about the traditional coconut variety called «Niu 'utongau ». This variety belongs to rare forms of coconut, highly threatened, and known as « Sweet husk ». Those varieties have yet to be scientifically described. The «Niu 'utongau » coconut variety can be found in quantity only on the small coral islet of Onoiki in the Ha’apai group. Tongians are still sometimes taking seedlings from that islet, which is so small that it does not appear on most maps.
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| Sweet husk coconuts are traditionnaly cooked in traditional oven. |
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| Traditional conservatoire of kaipoa varieties in Tonga. |
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| Sweet husk coconuts are traditionnaly cooked in traditional oven. |
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| Different kinds of Kaipoa from French polynesia |