Marama Bean (Tylosema esculentum)

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

Tylosema esculentum, commonly known as Marama Bean or Gemsbok Bean is a perennial legume native to Southern Africa. It is long-lived and grows at least 3 m. The tuber can grow at least 10 kg, which makes the plant capable of growing under harsh environmental conditions.The seeds develop in legume pods. Marama bean has no medicinal uses but is an important food crop. The seeds are cooked by roasting or boiling.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Roots/Tubers

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

delicious, nutty flavour similar to coffee beans or roasted cashews. — After roasting, the seeds have a delicious, nutty flavour similar to coffee beans or roasted cashews.; They may be boiled with maize meal or ground into flour to prepare a porridge or a coffee- or cocoa-like drink.; The roasted seeds have sometimes been used as a culinary substitute for almonds.; The seeds have a protein content around 30% (approaching that of the soya bean) and an oil content around 40% (approaching that of the peanut).

Habitat & North American Range

Localized in patches in grassland and wooded grassland vegetation in sandy and limestone (including dolomite) soils, but not on soils developed over granite or basalt. (Zone 10)