Bitter kola

Description

Bitter kola originates from West and Central Africa. All parts of the plant have been utilized for centuries in traditional medicines.

The fruits of the bitter kola plant are extremely sour and sometimes eaten however they are usually harvested for the seeds. The orange-sized fruits contain a yellow pulp that surrounds the four seeds.

The seeds themselves are chewed when raw. They have a bitter, aromatic flavour, somewhat similar to that of a raw coffee bean with a sweet and peppery after taste. Once the pulp has no flavour remaining, you should spit it out.

The seeds are sometimes chewed along with the cola nut as they are considered to complement each other.

The bitter kola is not consumed as a food source but rather for the multitude of health benefits which it brings.