Kola, also referred to as bichy nut, cola tree and a variety of other
common names, is an evergreen tree that is native to West Africa and
cultivated in tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Americas. A
member of the mallow family, the tree produces attractive yellow flowers
with purple stripes and star-shaped fruits. The latter houses several
rust-colored seeds, which are known as kola nuts.
In African culture, the kola nut is of great social significance. In
fact, it’s not only considered an honor to be presented with kola nuts
as a gift, but the consumption of kola nuts occurs at community
functions from weddings and baptisms to political meetings and funerals.
The nuts are also frequently used as currency or as talismans for
spiritual protection. In addition to a variety of beverages, kola nuts
are made into stimulatory tonics.
In the west, the nuts are best known as the key ingredient in the
original Coca-Cola soft drink formula. However, because of the
psychoactive effects of colanine present in the seeds, the formula has
since been modified to exclude this substance. Kola nut caffeine
compounds are still used in the pharmaceutical industry in products
formulated for nausea and migraine.
