It kills 150 people per year; It is classified (botanically and technically) as a fruit, a nut and a seed; Green ones are the same as brown ones (give or take a few weeks) and it can be mailed to the United States as a “self-contained” unit, meaning one which cannot be easily tampered with by terrorists.
You will be forgiven for believing the above to be descriptive of a new-age, artificially intelligent organic James Bond weapon, but you will also be disappointed to know that it is, in fact, a testament to our underestimating a good old coconut.
Apart from the exotic pull-factor and the allure of its tall, lush and leafy hosts, coconuts actually provide a wide array of health benefits and is (lucky for island habitants) freely and cheaply available in Mauritius as an exotic and alluring destination. Coconut water has been successfully used in the past as a replacement for IV solution. Because coconut water is sterile, it has similar properties to human blood plasma (it is basically just water with dissolved minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium). That being said, and having ensured you will appreciate the furry coco friends next time you see them, they are not the only local, healthy produce available in abundance and at an affordable price as it lies scattered across the little island stalls in its nurtured and protected states. At any give time, driving at any given direction, you are guaranteed to meet an entrepreneurial vendor willing to let you sample his produce with great pride. We recently undertook a mini-road trip along the south-west coast of the island, to meet up with 2 very proud and entrepreneurial Mauritians, dedicated to bringing the best of local offering to anyone willing to stop and try it!
Whilst it is noteworthy to mention that locally grown fruit and vegetables are often the subject of scrutiny and criticism insofar as the use of pesticide goes, it is also worth mentioning that all vendors should not be unanimously thrown under the pesticide bus, and written off as attending the same lousy party. Supporting local (a big economic driver for Mauritius) is a big part of integration of cultures, understanding the landscape and the relationship Mauritians have with food and is best approached with open arms and a healthy dose of research and local conversations. There is an array of pleasant surprises, sensations and new experiences which await the curious and open-minded expatriate, seeking to understand Mauritius, its people, its cuisine and the package is best stitched by question and conversation without judgment.
In Part 2 of the “Come Shop With Me” series, we will bring you an inside look into the commercial supermarket experience (for the more traditional shopper), and a healthy cost comparison of your every day shopping basket.
In the meantime, please join our closed Facebook Group: XPat Mauritius: Home Away From Home to get up to the minute updates, search relevant content or get answers from those living in Mauritius.
