Pure coconut goodness at The Coconut Shop.

CIB shop serves up wide range of goodness

THERE IS perhaps no place in Jamaica that showcases the diverse range of coconutbased products more than The Coconut Shop on Waterloo Road in Kingston.

Every day, the aroma of freshly made gizzadas, coconut drops, grater cakes, tarts, cookies, puddings and macaroons permeates the air inside The Coconut Shop.

Located at 17 Waterloo Road, the shop, which has been in operation for over 17 years, is managed by the Coconut Industry Board (CIB), and provides the perfect market for local coconut growers.

“We purchase jelly coconuts from our local farmers and extract the water to be sold to our customers. We also use the dry coconuts in the manufacture of confectionery in our bakery,” said Alison Chung-Campbell, corporate secretary at the CIB.

The potassium-rich coconut water is a best-seller at the shop, along with coconut oil. This oil, it is said, helps maintain a healthy ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids, which can lower and improve cholesterol.

There have been many return customers because of the vast health benefits of the shop’s products.

“The diversity of the shop is its success, because the confectioneries, as well as the coconut water and oil, have a steady and consistent clientele,” said Chung-Campbell.

The one-stop shop for coconut lovers, The Coconut Shop demonstrates a wide range of very delectable uses of the superfruit.

AT TOP: Freshly baked macaroons and gizzaroons.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Shermaine Taylor creating a Coconut Shop special – the gizzaroon.

The ladies of The Coconut Shop are ready to serve their customers with a smile. From left are Molesta Baldeo-Gordon, Marjorie Evans-McNish, and Rosemarie Johnson.

AT RIGHT: ‘One drop’ of sugary coconut goodness.

Grater cake, or as some Jamaicans know it, ‘pink on top’, is a favourite at The Coconut Shop.