Kola Nut, cola nitida, is a member of 125 African trees, of the Malvaceae family, the genus Sterculiaceae, that are growing in the wild. While the trees are not cultivated, they’re of value to millions of people all over the world. The Kola Nut tree is a native of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Africa.


It’s an evergreen tree with shining ovate leaves up to 30 cm long. It grows between 15 and 20 meters in height and flourishes in warm wet climates where it can find good deal of water. The tree can do equally well in direct sun or partial shade, but it could be easily wiped out by a frost.

The most central nut crop in Africa following that of the oil palm is the Cola Nut. There’s a world-wide call for them to chew, like gum. They could also be eaten. The use of the kola nut, similar to coffee berry and tea leaf has ancient origins. The kola nut has been utilized in Africa for as long as humans have lived there. Ceremonial occasion sharing of the kola nut is important.

In the 1800s the kola nut was tried out in the west as a flavoring in carbonated drinks. The most notable user was the Coca Cola Company. Coca Cola nowadays uses artificial flavorings while Pepsi Cola carries on with the use of the real nuts largely for flavoring.

The fresh nut acts as a masticator. It tastes bitter. However, after consuming it a sensation of well-being spreads out through the body and leaves a sweet gustatory sensation in the mouth. This also makes food or beverage to taste sweet. The result is physiological.

Caffeine is naturally occurring in the nut and stimulates the body similar as coffee does. When the nut dries, the stimulant chemical kolanin is acted upon by an enzyme and gives rise to formation of kola-red compound similar to phlobaphene. Aged kola nuts lose the stimulating value of the kolanin and habitual users exclusively seek fresh nuts.

Animal experimentation suggest that kola nuts have stimulating (analeptic) and lipolytic (fat-burning) attributes, and excite the secretion of gastric juices. The Kola Nut Tree is propagated by seed. Trees will usually bear nuts in 7-10 years from sowing.

kola nut, cola nut

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