Coconuts are tropical fruits that grow on coconut palm trees. There are two main varieties of coconut palms – tall palm trees and shorter dwarf varieties. These varieties produce coconuts in various shades of green, yellow, and brown.
So, is there a difference between yellow and green coconuts?
The main difference lies in the variety of the coconut. While green coconuts are not different from brown coconuts, yellow coconuts are a completely different variety. Green coconuts have far less meat than yellow ones. Instead, they’re harvested for their refreshing and healthy water.
This article reviews green and yellow coconuts, including their health benefits and uses.
What Are Green Coconuts?
Green coconuts are the same as the brown, hairy coconuts with which you may be more familiar.
The main difference lies in the age of the coconut. Green coconuts are young and not fully mature, while brown ones are fully ripened.
However, there are a few coconut varieties that stay green even when it is fully mature.
Green Dwarf Coconut
The green dwarf coconut will never turn brown, as we expect from a coconut plant. This coconut variety stays green even when fully mature and ready to be harvested.
This common green coconut variety grows well throughout Malaysia.
One of the benefits of growing a green dwarf coconut tree is that the maximum height of this tree is shorter than the maximum height of many other dwarf coconut varieties.
The Green Dwarf Coconut is about 30-feet long at its absolute maximum.
This is quite tall but is more manageable to handle than a 60-foot tree like some of the other dwarf varieties.
This green coconut produces a lot of coconut water. You might have to work a bit harder to get the meat out of a green coconut like this, and you may need extra coconuts if you are making a specific dish.
Note: It’s important to consider green coconuts’ meat and water yield when deciding which plant to choose. Since the amount of meat and water varies by species, you will want to ensure that the coconuts your tree produces will work for your needs.
What Are Yellow Coconuts?
The main yellow coconut varieties include the Yellow Malayan Coconut and the Golden Malayan Coconut.
Golden Malayan Coconut
Most people think coconut is going to have a brown, fibrous exterior. This is not what every coconut looks like when it grows on a tree.
The Golden Malayan Dwarf Coconut has a yellow-orange color that looks golden under the sun.
This type of coconut is large, and the full tree size is around 50 to 60 feet.
These Golden Malayan Coconuts hold on to their moisture and flavor even though they are drought-tolerant plants.
Malayan Yellow Coconut
These coconuts are a bit more yellow, making them stand out from the others around them. Also, the Malayan yellow coconut tree can get very high.
A fully grown Malayan Yellow Dwarf will grow to be 50 feet tall. These yellow coconuts are easy to grow and produce plenty of food and water during their lifespan.
King Coconut
This type of yellow coconut is native to Sri Lanka and is also found in parts of India. While it is shorter than other variants of Palm trees, this doesn’t compromise the quality of fruits. The King Coconut tree is also known to grow at an average height of 20-meters and produces more than 20 yellow coconuts. The coconuts look like football with a long yet oval structure. The size of these fruits is 20 to 30 cm, and their skin has a vibrant orangish-yellow hue.
King Coconuts are found throughout the year and are harvested after they mature for seven to eight months. They produce a sweet and flavorful liquid that is cool, hydrates, and refreshes you.
Yellow versus Green Coconuts – Nutritional Value & Health Benefits
The nutritional value of yellow & green coconuts is equally high. They are a great source of vitamins, amino acids, and other useful minerals like phosphate and potassium. The unique thing about these tropical fruits is that their liquid contains more calcium than any other citrusy fruit. So, if you have any bone density issues, these coconuts might be one of the best fruits to try.
Both yellow and green coconuts contain plenty of bioactive enzymes that boost metabolism and also assist in digestion. They are generally harvested for their milk, liquid, and white meat.
How to Find Green and Yellow Coconut Varieties
Having these colorful coconut varieties is great, but they can be hard to get your hands on.
Since coconuts grow in tropical regions, this is where you will find different types of coconuts, including yellow and green ones.
Most grocery stores will just have brown coconuts. They source the coconuts from nearby areas so they can bring in the most coconuts.
However, after trying out different varieties of coconut, you might start reading some of the labels on the products you purchase.
Chances are you’ll see some of the areas of the world where these coconuts are grown and the ways that you can try different coconut varieties.
Final Thoughts
Yellow and green coconuts have very similar tastes. They are part of the same plant family and grow in similar conditions.
The biggest difference you’ll notice between yellow and green coconuts is the condition of the coconut when you crack open their shell.
Sometimes the coconut will have a ton of water; other times, it will have none.
The levels of meat and water in each type of coconut will vary, so it is essential to pay attention to this.
Overall, you will enjoy both yellow and green coconuts, but only experienced coconut lovers can tell a difference between the varieties.
