Kola nut
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Kola nut (Cola) is a genus of about 125 species of trees native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, classified in the family Malvaceae, subfamily Sterculioideae (or treated in the separate family Sterculiaceae). It is related to the South American genus Theobroma (Cacao). They are evergreen trees, growing to 20 m tall, with glossy ovoid leaves up to 30 cm long.
- Selected species
- Cola acuminata - Abata Cola
- Cola anomala
- Cola gigantea
- Cola heterophylla
- Cola nitida - Goro
- Cola pachycarpa
- Cola vera
- Cola verticillata
Uses
The kola nut has a bitter flavour and some caffeine content, and is chewed in many West African cultures, individually and more commonly in a group setting. It is often used ceremoniously or presented to guests.
Kola was originally used to make cola soft drinks, though today most of these mass-produced beverages use artificial flavourings. Some exceptions are Barr's Red Kola, Harboe Original Taste Cola, Blue Sky Organic Cola, and Cricket Cola, the latter being made from kola nuts and green tea.
Outside of Africa, some species are cultivated for their nuts in Indonesia, Brazil, Jamaica and elsewhere in the humid tropics.
References
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