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Organic
Raw Coconut Water Vinegar
The
water inside the coconut shell is packed with nutrients that nourishes
the nut as it prepares to germinate and start growing into a new
coconut tree, which is exactly what would happen if you let a coconut
fall from the tree to the ground and leave it there, given the proper
moisture and soil conditions. Coconut water is high in many vitamins
and minerals, especially potassium. Because it contains electrolytes,
it is considered one of the best natural rehydrating drinks in the
tropics. Pasteurized coconut water retains most of the minerals, and is
frequently sold as a sports drink. Since fresh coconut water
deteriorates so quickly once it is exposed to air, it is best obtained
and consumed in the tropics where it can be purchased fresh, with all
the nutrients and enzymes in tact. Packaged coconut waters must be
pasteurized, destroying some of the nutrients. It has been reported
that during World War II coconut water was used in emergencies as IV
fluids, since the nutrient-packed water is completely sterile inside
the coconut until the hard shell is cracked and it is exposed to air.
In the Philippines and other
tropical places, raw coconut water is often left in the open air to
ferment, where it eventually turns into a vinegar. The fermentation
process enhances the nutrients, unlike heat pasteurization. The acidic
environment prevents the growth of undesirable bacteria naturally.
Tropical Traditions worked with professors at the University of the
Philippines for several years to develop an incubation system that
could produce clean coconut water vinegar from our certified organic
coconuts and retain the mother of vinegar (a colony of bacteria
cultures) as a truly raw product. We use the mother of vinegar to
inoculate future batches of organic coconut water vinegar.
Organic
Whole Muscabado Sugar
We use only certified organic Muscabado whole cane sugar in the
fermentation of our vinegar, grown by a cooperative of small scale
family farmers in the Philippines. The sugar is also Fair Trade
certified. Muscabado sugar is a whole sugar that is extracted from the
sugar cane using traditional methods. It contains all the natural
nutrients found in raw sugar cane or molasses. Sugar is needed in the
fermentation process, and most other vinegars are made with refined
white sugar. Our Muscabado whole cane sugar is a deep brown in color,
which gives a brown coloring to our vinegar. While the sugar is needed
in the fermentation process, it is used up during fermentation and
there is no sugar content left in the vinegar.
A
Truly Unique Vinegar!
Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Water Vinegar is truly unique and
is the first of its kind in the US market! Most vinegars are clear
because they are distilled and originally made from white sugar. Our
Organic Coconut Water Vinegar is not distilled, but raw. It contains
the mother of vinegar. In the Philippines most all commercial vinegars
are distilled, and the "coconut vinegars" are not made from the
nutrient-packed coconut water from inside the coconut, but from the sap
of the coconut tree which is used to make lambanog, an alcoholic drink
similar to vodka. These "coconut vinegars" are by-products of the
lambanog industry. To make these products, one must harvest the sap of
the coconut tree from the coconut flower bud, which would normally
become a fruit-bearing coconut. Hence, trees dedicated to harvesting
the sap for lambanog and the more common coconut vinegar will never
produce coconuts. Tropical Traditions does NOT support coconut products
that prevent coconut trees from bearing fruit (this would include
"coconut sugar" harvested from the flowering bud of the coconut tree.)
Coconut trees in the Philippines have been on the decline for decades,
and the coconut oil from coconuts is also now valued as a fuel source
in bio-diesel production, resulting in less coconut oil availability as
a food source each year. Vinegar made from coconut water, however, does
not sacrifice coconuts or coconut oil in its production, as it is
collected from mature coconuts which are used to make coconut oil, and
the same trees can continue producing coconuts year after year.
Tropical Traditions is the first company to make a truly organic
product from the water of organic coconuts which is raw and fermented
with fair-trade organic Muscabado whole cane sugar. This is one of the
most nutrient-packed and healthiest vinegars you will find anywhere in
the world!
For a cool and refreshing healthy beverage, mix one to two teaspoons of
Organic Coconut Water Vinegar to 8 oz. of water.
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