Unknown Nuts: Kukui, Black, and Three Other Rare Species 0 6

Kukui

Perhaps there were mentions in fairy tales of products that could satisfy a hero for a long time — and these could be kukui nuts. Their nutritional value is among the highest on the planet, and their caloric content is also impressive: 620 kcal per 100 grams. These nuts can be consumed both raw and as part of various seasonings or sauces. The kukui's homeland is Panama, but they can also be found in Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, as well as in the Hawaiian and Caribbean islands.

Kola

The nut that gave its name to the famous drink is most commonly found in the tropical regions of West Africa. Extracting kola requires significant effort, making it quite an expensive product. Nevertheless, the benefits that kola nuts provide justify all the costs of their extraction, as noted by the travel portal TravelAsk.

Mongongo

The nuts that grow in the southern African regions are among the few plants adapted to the conditions of the Mongongo desert. After harvesting, they are processed using a special technology, making the nuts soft and giving them a pleasant taste. It is said that they taste similar to cashews. In cooking, mongongo is often used for garnishing dishes.

Pili

Of all the nuts presented, Philippine pili can be considered the most exotic due to their unique flavor characteristics. Raw, they have a slightly bitter taste, while roasted they become sweet, like almonds or hazelnuts. This is why they are called chameleon nuts. The appearance of pili is also unusual — the elongated dark fruits resemble dates.

Black Walnuts

Compared to walnuts, black walnuts are smaller, their shells are denser, and the kernels are smaller and have a more bitter taste. However, black walnuts are very nutritious. Connoisseurs add them to salads and even use them to prepare alcoholic tinctures.