African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Let’s learn all about the kola nut

Twenty-five of the best kola nut facts and stats


Bitter kola is not to be confused with the caffeine-rich larger sized kola nut.

Chewing on the seeds of the bitter kola nut is rumored to have the same effect as a little blue pill treating sexual dysfunction.

Deforestation and the conversion of forests for development and plantations have reduced the number of wild kola nut trees.

Demand for Kola nut is great in Nigeria and the ability to store the nuts and use them fresh or dried makes this an ideally versatile product to generate income for the family.

Due to its caffeine content, large amounts of kola nuts may cause a headache, anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeats.

In 2014, there were fake reports kola nut cured infectious diseases such as HIV-AIDS and the Ebola virus.

In central Nigeria, it was reported Ebola was cured after warm water mixed with salt and then eating bitter kola nuts.

In foods and beverages, kola nut is used as a flavoring ingredient.


Kola nut has natural sweetness as well as lots of caffeine
Kola nut has natural sweetness as well as lots of caffeine

Inside the tree's star-shaped fruits are white shells, which contain the kola nuts.

It is found in Benin, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

Kola nuts of the Cola Acuminata variety are especially important tradition in Nigerian Igbo culture.

Kola nut contains caffeine; caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system, heart, and muscles.

Kola nut energizer drink is very popular in Sierra Leone and is used as a substitute for hops in brewing beer in some African countries.

Kola nut is a cherished and revered ancient nut plant with real major health benefits to West and Central African people.

Kola nut is a type of nut mostly found in tropical zones in the forests throughout West and Central Africa.

Kola nut is also known as a food that has the ability to ward off evil spirits.

Kola nut is especially useful in preventing beer spoilage.

Kola nuts come from the evergreen kola tree traditionally these nuts were used as medicine and nowadays the nuts of the tree is still used to treat many ailments.

Kola nuts value as medication for weight loss, a sore throat, upset stomach, ulcers, colds, and liver disorders is priceless medicinally and spiritually to West and Central African people.

The name for cola drinks is derived from the Cola Acuminata plant, although the Kola nut is no longer used as an ingredient in most commercial drinks.

The fatal dose is estimated to be about 10-14 grams; that is 150-200 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight.

The kola nut is culturally very important for West and Central tribes in traditional ceremonies, special events and welcoming visitors.

The kola nut is the caffeine-rich ovoid fruit of the kola tree relatively large being about 1 1/2 inches to 3 inches.

Theobromine is found in chocolate as well as kola nuts.

Kola nut has natural sweetness as well as lots of caffeine.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


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