Manila Elemi (Canarium luzonicum)

Family: Burseraceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Endemic to the Philippines, Manila Elemi or Canarium luzonicum is a large, evergreen tree that reaches up to 30 m high upon maturity. It is a great source of a fragrant oleoresin called elemi which has a wide range of uses in food, medicine, and industrial applications. A single tree produces 4 ? 5 kilograms of this resin. The seeds can be consumed raw or cooked. The nuts are sweet and have a delicious flavour. Oil from seed is used in cooking.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds, Shoots

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet nuts have a delicious flavour when roasted and are served like almonds. — Seed - raw or cooked.; The sweet nuts have a delicious flavour when roasted and are served like almonds.; They can also be used in confections, ice cream, nut milks etc, and as an adulterant to chocolate.; The coat surrounding the kernel should be removed since it can cause diarrhoea.

Habitat & North American Range

Lowland rainforest. Primary forests at low and medium elevations. (Zone 10)