Kitchen Dictionary: marula

The history of this fruit tree goes back thousand’s of years. Also known as the elephant tree or marriage tree. A native plant from Africa, where it is grown exclusively to that climate and region, mostly by rivers. In Zimbabwe it is estimated that a some 24 million trees are consumed, everything from the fruit, nuts, leaves and even the kernels. It is a dietary mainstay in Africa. The tree is not cultivated. As the fruit ripens it turns light yellow, with a white fleshy inside. Rich in vitamin c and seeds that are nutlike and can also be eaten. They are hard like a walnut because of the stone inside them. The fruits are used in amarula liqueur; they are often used in making jellies and juices. A very juicy and aromatic fruit, the size of a plum. May be eaten fresh. Available in specialty shops or online. Year round

Ethnicity: African Ingredient

Season: available year-round