Vegetable Tallow. Tallow tree (Allanblackia floribunda)

Family: Clusiaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Allanblackia floribunda is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The fat obtained from the seed, known as 'allanblackia fat' or 'beurre de bouandjo' in Congo, is used in food preparation. — The fat obtained from the seed, known as 'allanblackia fat' or 'beurre de bouandjo' in Congo, is used in food preparation.; Recently, the international food industry has become interested in the fat as a natural solid component for margarines and similar products.; The seeds contain a fat that is solid at ambient temperatures.; The kernel, which makes up about 60% of the seed, contains about 72% fat.

Habitat & North American Range

A common understorey tree of lowland closed evergreen rainforest and riverine forest, and also in secondary and swamp forest, at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It is common on strongly leached, acid soils with pH 3.8 - 4.1. (Zone 10)