Coconut grater

Paru

Note: The following text is taken from a 19th-century collection catalog and, in its language and perspective, partially reflects colonial thought patterns. We present the text in its original version to make the collection's history transparent and promote a critical examination of the colonial legacy. Certain terms and formulations may be perceived as problematic today. A 2009 research project concluded that most descriptions are factually correct and still usable; only a few details were found to be inaccurate or incorrect. The results of this project were published in the following collection catalog: https://khm-wmw-tm-library.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1457155265

"367. Coconut grater - "Paru". 
A long, rectangular board on which there is a surface in which several rows of small sharp iron pegs have been set. This instrument is built in a similar manner to the European grating iron. The hard coconut shell, as is known, has a soft white layer of oily flesh inside from which coconut oil is cooked or pressed and which constitutes a very important component of all the foods which are prepared by all the natives of the Indian archipelago. To separate this sponge-like white layer from the broken, hard shell, such a grater is used for rubbing free the soft flesh."

Translation of: Czurda, F. A. J. (1883). Catalog mit Erklärungen der Etnografischen Privatsammlung des Dr. F. A. J. Czurda in Postelberg (Böhmen). (p. 73-74). Wien, Wilhelm Braumüller