Coconut Fiber
Coconut fiber is similar in some ways to plant hairs such as cotton seed hairs and Kapok tree fruit hairs, and it is considered a part of the fibrous plant family. It is also commonly referred to as coir.
Coconut fiber is made from the mesocarp or fibrous husk of the coconut fruit. It is known to be high in lignin content and low in cellulose, making it a strong, flexible, and durable material. The cavities from the dried out sieve cells of coconut fiber contributes to its lightness in weight. Due to these characteristics, many products are made from coconut coir fiber.
Coconut fiber is actually the only fiber from a fruit that is being used in textiles. If you come across any coconut fibers clothes, you will find that they are very unique in texture. You can get hold of coir or coconut fiber by soaking coconut husks in water for around ten months. After that, they should be dried under the sun and graded into a bristle-like fiber. This fiber is the raw material for coir fabrics.
Coconut fiber can also be used as a planting medium for hydroponics gardening. If you plan to go to a coconut fiber store to purchase one, it is best to find those that are light in color. The best grades of coconut fiber are those that are yellow or gold in color. These are the fibers that come from coconuts that have not ripened. The coconut fiber that is made from ripened coconut is usually brown in color.
Different grades of coconut fiber serve different purposes. If you want to use it for a coconut fiber body brush, the brown-colored fiber will be sufficient. The water content during the retting stage of making the coconut fiber will also affect the quality. If there is excessive water content, then your coconut fiber might decay and heat up easily. You should choose a coconut fiber without moisture. This is very important, especially if you need to transport the coconut fiber.
Though coconut fiber is widely used in clothing, it can also be used for other products, such as ropes, cords, runners, brooms, paint brushes, upholstery, mats, and many others. You may have heard about the Aloha Nu coconut fiber, top grade coir with medicinal properties. It is a dietary fiber that is made into supplements or nutrients which provide health benefits. If you’d like to start your own coconut fiber garden, you can do some research on the internet for valuable information and tips.