The term "coconut" can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. The name comes from the old Portuguese and Spanish word coco, meaning "head" or "skull", after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. They are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and are a cultural icon of the tropics.

These are fully matured coconuts but while de-husking, the husk is left intact over the "eyes" of the coconut. This is a sensitive area, and by protecting it we can increase the shelf life of the coconut as the area susceptible to decay is protected.