Indian Almond (Terminalia catappa)

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

Terminalia catappa, otherwise known as Indian Almond, Tropical Almond Tree, or Java Almond, is a large tree up to 40 m in height that grows mainly in Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is deciduous with its trunk, can either be straight or twisted, often buttressed up to 3 m tall. The leaves are long, smooth, shiny, and turn red then fall off twice a year. Greenish-white flowers are in a spike at the end of branches.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavoured seeds can be eaten out of hand or roasted. — Seed - raw or cooked.; The almond-flavoured seeds can be eaten out of hand or roasted.; They can be chopped and added to cookies, bread mixes, dessert fillings, sweets, soups and stews.; The seed contains about 50% oil.

Habitat & North American Range

A mid-canopy tree in areas just inland from ocean beaches, near river mouths, and on coastal plains. These areas are typically flat, but they may have dunes or rocky bluffs. Sandy or rocky beaches. (Zone 10)