Fun Fact #413 Life, Death, and Coconuts

 Fun Fact #413

Life, Death, and Coconuts

While the word “Coco” is the word for Coconuts in Portuguese today, it used to mean something very different: “Skull”. It received this grievous name by explorers who thought the fruits resembled skulls, only accentuated by local myths where the first coconut tree sprouted from a severed head. In WW2 the Japanese even created makeshift mines by stuffing Coconuts with Hand Grenades and Picric Acid (a shock sensitive explosive). Additionally more people are killed by coconuts each year (~150) than Sharks (~4) making them among the deadliest fruits in the world (outside of allergies).
However the Coconut has also been seen as a source of Life. Such as in Polynesian culture who took Coconuts wherever they settled. Today the fruit is seen positively and its oils are used in some culture’s Wedding ceremonies. Just don't give the mines as Wedding Favors. . . the guests won't have a blast with it.  

This warning sign is from a beach In Honolulu, and the coconut landmine mine bulletin is from WW2 with both images being retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.)

Fun Fact #414

A Rotten Problem

Tomatoes are juicy, grow in many environments, and are good for your liver. So, its a real shame that when the Spanish brought them back to Europe the populations freaked out because they resembled the poisonous Nightshade . 

Tomatoes, Potatoes, Tobacco, and Zucchini, are all actually related to Nightshade, but that didn't stop local populations from associating them with myths about their use in Witch’s potions. The most famous of these allegations was that it was the main ingredient in a brew to turn Humans into Werewolves. 

Tomatoes of course would overcome these myths, but it might make for a good Halloween inspired dish.

Image from BeekenKamp Plants on Facebook. 

Fun Fact #415

Beans, Beans, The Magical Fruit…

When most people think of Pythagoras their minds tend to go to his famous Theorem  about Right Triangles (A²+B²=C²) but few realize he had his own Cult. This cult primarily focused on studying Math, but being superstitious they held the opinion that Fava beans grew by collecting the souls of the dead. While we don't know why they believed this, it is likely due to many Greeks of this period being deathly allergic to Fava beans. 

Whatever the case, the myth spread with the Math growing in absurdity with each retelling. Soon, these legumes became seen as the delicacy of Cannibals and Cultists until several famines caused people to give them a legitimate chance.

Perhaps Jelly beans aren't such a bad Halloween Candy afterall. 

Fun Fact #416

One to Mull over

Throughout history Mulberry Trees have been beloved and seen as symbols of Faith, Love, and Growth in several cultures. However not all is filled with sunshine and rainbows. In a Babylonian myth about forbidden lovers originating from the warring cities of Sumer and Akkad, Pyramus and Thisbe decide they’ll run away together in a plot similar to that of Romeo and Juliet. According to legend the Mulberry is red and black with their blood. This is why it is seen as rude to send Mulberries to Widows, but this morbid insult has wormed its way into Slasher Flicks, notably featuring as a recurring gag in the Friday the 13th series. 

In any case Mulberries are favored around the world with one notable Illinois variety “The Everbearing Tree”, known for producing fruit year around (as long as its above 20 degrees) with a life expectancy of 125 years.

Image from RestoringEden.co

Fun Fact # 417

Kiwano 

During the dry season of the Kalahari Desert, water can be quite hard to come by, but one odd fruit can be a godsend: The Kiwano.  Kiwano or “The African Horned Melon '' is an orange spikefruit native to Central and South Africa as a member of the Melon family. Thanks to its thick leathery skin, it can store water with little loss for up to 2 months in its kiwi-like fruit which is said to taste like a cross between a cucumber and a lemon. 

Thanks to its odd appearance it has also appeared in an amazing list of fictional works: Star Trek (TOS, & DS9), to Star Wars (Rebels & The Force Awakens), Flash Gordon (Remake), Avengers Endgame, Warehouse 13, and Red Dwarf – just to name a few. All of which –when combined with its surprising availability– makes it a popular Halloween Decoration. Just make sure you don't hold onto it for too long, they have a nasty habit of exploding when their rinds eventually dry-out.

Image from Healthline.com