Is coconut a nut?

Is coconut a nut? Or fruit? Or a seed? This article has the definitive facts about coconuts. And the answer may surprise you.

Is coconut a nut or a fruit? Or a seed?

It’s classified as a type of fruit called a drupe. But they can loosely be called all three!

What is a drupe?

Drupes are fleshy fruit that contain a seed such as nectarines, olives, peaches plums or cherries. [Source] However, even raspberries and blackberries are considered a type of drupe as well. Coconuts are specifically a one-seeded drupe which is a fruit with a hard shell covering the seed. [Source]

All drupes have an exocarp (outer layer), mesocarp (fleshly middle) and endocarp (fleshy layer that surrounds the seed). [Source]

Why are coconuts fruit?

Coconut is technically classified as a drupe. And drupes have seeds or pits, but they don’t seem like nectarines or peaches or plums. So, if you are confused about how they are considered drupes, I completely understand. When we see coconuts in stores, we usually see the dried outer shell. There’s the coconut water/coconut meat inside but no seed. In this instance, if you look at the outside of the coconut, you’ll see the three pores. The seed shoots from those pores. Drupes also have endosperm which in the case of coconut, is the meaty white flesh. What you don’t normally see at the grocery store is the endocarp. That’s the smooth green layer which has already been removed.

How are nuts classified?

To make matters even more confusing, nuts are also a type of fruit. However, they don’t have protective outer layers like drupes. They do have a hard shell that opens to release a seed. Certain types of drupes and nuts can be classified as tree nuts such as walnuts.

Why would coconut be considered a seed?

If you are looking at the entire coconut palm tree (even though a coconut tree is technically not a tree either but that's another confusing topic), the coconut is considered the seed of the plant. Therefore, coconut could be considered a seed. [Source]

Why is coconut called a nut?

Nut is in the name, coconut, so it’s easy to assume that coconut is a nut. Additionally, certain drupes like coconut, can also be called nuts because they may have cross reactivity with other nuts such as macadamia nuts. [Source]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed the classification of coconut to tree nut in 2006. And in a nutshell (pun totally intended), the FDA’s classification is broad while botanist classification is specific and complex.

Here is the List of Tree Nuts According to the FDA

Almond
Beech Nut
Brazil Nut
Butternut
Cashew
Chestnut (Chinese American, European, Seguin)
Chinquapin
Coconut
Filbert/Hazelnut
Ginko Nut
Lichee Nut
Macadamia Nut/Bush Nut
Pecan
Pine Nut/Pinon Nut
Pili Nut
Pistachio
Sheanut
Walnut (English, Persian, Black, Japanese, California)

[Source]

If I have a tree nut allergy, can I eat coconut?

The best answer is, ask your doctor. I’m not a doctor and can’t advise you on your specific health needs or concerns. However, most people with nut allergies don’t have a coconut allergy. [Source]

If you have a coconut allergy, you may need to be aware of cross reactivity. Foods belonging to the same class or family can have similar proteins. For example, if you have an allergy to shellfish, eating crickets may cause a reaction. If you are concerned about cross reactivity, then you should speak with your doctor.

Additionally, allergies aren’t the only thing to look out for when consuming coconut products. Regardless of the health benefits [source], you can have non-allergic reactions which would be considered a coconut intolerance.

What are the best ways to avoid coconut?

The best way to avoid coconut is to be vigilant about reading labels and be aware of hidden sources of coconut like personal care products.

Brands can and will change ingredients without notice so be sure to check labels every time you go grocery shopping. And when dining out, be sure to communicate your allergy or intolerance every time you order.

It’s good to understand hidden sources of coconut like in non-food products (such as coconut diethanolamide, cocamide sulfate, cocamide DEA, and CDEA). Non-food products can also contain coconut. While many with coconut allergies or intolerances won’t be affected by just touching coconut other with contact dermatitis can have a reaction.

Contact dermatitis can occur 12 hours to 2 days after a coconut or coconut-derived product touches the skin. It can be an itchy rash or even blisters.

What Are the Symptoms of a Coconut Allergy

Nut allergy reactions can vary from mild (ex. rash) to severe/life threatening (ex. anaphylaxis). Additionally, true allergies can develop at any time without reason. They can also develop very quickly. For example, my mom developed a allergy to shrimp. Over the course of a month, she ate shrimp 3 times, and each time had worsening symptoms. First, she had an upset stomach. Second, she vomited within a few hours of eating the shrimp. Third, she vomited multiple times within the hour of eating the shrimp and continued to have GI symptoms for the next 12 hours. Please be aware that this experience was unique to her and not everyone’s experience. However, it does show how serious allergies can be and how quickly they can develop.

How Can One Test for a Coconut Allergy

A simple blood test or scratch test can be administered by an allergist.

What Are the Treatments for a Coconut Allergy?

Avoiding coconut and coconut derived products is the best treatment plan for an allergy as there is no cure for allergies. Doctors recommend antihistamines to lesson reactions after an exposure. If you have severe reactions, an EpiPen may be necessary.

For some, oral immunotherapy may offer treatment for some food allergies. This type of therapy exposes the patient to small doses of the allergen. The amount of the food allergen is slowly increased according to the patient’s tolerance. Please note that not everyone is a good candidate for oral immunotherapy. If you would like to know if this is a good option for you, seek out advice from your doctor.

coconut milk matcha panna cotta garnished with berries and flowers

Is coconut allowed in nut free schools?

If a school is following the guidelines set out by the FDA, then no. Coconut is considered a nut and shouldn’t be brought into that nut free school. But just to be safe, it’s best to ask your school for their specific guidelines. Better safe than sorry. Foods allergies aren’t fun and I wouldn’t want to put anyone in danger.

If you’re gluten free, it’s difficult to be nut free as well. Almond flour, coconut flour and other nut flours are used frequently as wheat flour substitutes. Please be aware of this and check ingredients before making purchases. Here is a list of nut and coconut free recipes.

Interesting Facts About Coconut

Coconut is sometimes referred to as the ‘tree of life’ because every part of it can be used for food, musical instruments, drink, etc. [Source]
It takes about a year for coconut to mature. [Source]
A coconut was taken into police custody in the Maldives in 2013 because they believed it to be cursed with black magic. [Source]
Coconut water was used intravenously during World War II when saline solution was in short supply. [Source]
Coconut in some forms are anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic. [Source 1] [Source 2]

If you’re looking for recipes using coconuts, try these!

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If you need to avoid coconut, try these coconut free recipes!

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