Cola Nut (Cola nitida)

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

Native to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria, Cola nitida, or Cola Nut/ Ghanja Kola, is a tropical tree of about 8-12 in height that grows in lowland rainforest. It is buttressed to 1m high and its trunk can be branchless for a few meters. The bark is cracked and grey in colour but small branches are smooth. The leaves are simple, leathery, and dark green. The flowers form into short, irregular clusters forming a cup.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

aromatic seed is especially rich in caffeine, with some seeds having up to 3. — The aromatic seed is especially rich in caffeine, with some seeds having up to 3.5% caffeine, and acts as a stimulant.; It can be chewed or ground into a powder and made into a drink in order to give energy, increase alertness, retard hunger and fatigue, aid digestion and increase stamina.; When chewed, it also has the effect of modifying the taste sensation so that any food or drink consumed immediately afterwards seems sweet.; An extract, prepared from the dried kernels, is used to flavour carbonated drinks, ice cream, candy, baked goods etc.

Habitat & North American Range

Lowland forest, usually at elevations up to 300 metres, but also found up to 800 metres. (Zone 10)