shopping Kola nut - two varieties
Kola nut, chips image
[ 5031 ]Cola nitida

Kola Nut Chips

1/4 Pound:  $3.19 Pound:  $7.09 
Kola nut, powder image
[ 613 ]Cola acuminata

Kola Nut Powder

1/4 Pound:  $3.76 Pound:  $8.36 
We offer discounted pricing on orders over 100 pounds. Contact Us

Wholesale Kola nut

Cola acuminate & Cola nitida
plant overview
bitter-sweet, kola nut

Kola nuts, also known as Bissy Nuts, Guru Nuts and Cola Nuts, are the fruits of an African rainforest tree. The caffeine-containing nut smells a bit like rose petals, and has a taste that starts out bitter but eventually ends on a sweet note. Perhaps because kola nut has a long history of use in the preparation of beverages in African and Muslim cultures, John Pemberton, a 19th century American pharmacist, was inspired to combine kola with cocoa, sugar and carbonated water, giving the world the soft drink aptly named Coca-Cola.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little bit of botanical information on kola nut

description
Cola acuminata belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is an evergreen tree that grows to about 20 meters in height. It has long, ovoid leaves which are pointed at both the ends with a leathery texture.

The trees bear yellow flowers with purple spots, and star-shaped fruit. Inside the fruit, about a dozen round or square seeds can be found in a white seed shell.

The kola nut’s aroma is sweet and rose-like. The first taste is bitter, but it sweetens upon chewing.

common names & nomenclature
The genus name Cola is a Latinized form of a West African name of the tree (Temne: kola, Mandingo: kolo).

Also known as:
kola vera, sterculia acuminate, kola seeds, gurru nuts, bissy nuts, cola seeds, guru nut

Kola Nut, bitter-sweet

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for kola nut

Cola acuminata grows in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, the Sierra Leone and North Ashanti near the sources of the Nile, also cultivated in tropical Western Africa, West Indies, Brazil, and Java.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting kola nut

climate
Kola nut trees are usually found growing near the sea-coast or in tropical rainforest conditions. The trees need a hot humid climate, however they can withstand a dry season on sites with a high ground water level. Kola nut trees may be cultivated in drier areas where ground water is available.

soil
Kola nut trees prefer a deep, rich, fertile soil.

growing
Kola nut trees are usually grown from seed, although cuttings are sometimes used. Trees will bear in 7-10 years from seeding.

Sow seeds in a greenhouse in rich soil. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them to individual containers.

harvesting
Kola nuts can be harvested mechanically or by hand, by plucking them at the tree branch. They are dried and may be ground into powder for later use.

preserving
Store our dried kola nut powder for sale in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised:  Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.