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What is kola nut?
Kola nut is the seed of the kola tree (Cola), which grows in the rainforests of West Africa. The two kinds you will see are Cola nitida and Cola acuminata.1,2 The nut is firm, pink, red or cream inside, and tastes bitter. It has caffeine, so people chew it to stay alert, and in many West African homes it is the first thing you offer a guest.
Table of Contents
Obi, oji, goro: the names
Each language has its own word, and Yoruba even names the two kinds separately.2,3
| Name | Language | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ọjị (oji) | Igbo (Nigeria) | Broken and shared at the start of a visit or ceremony. Igbo custom uses Cola acuminata, not gworo. |
| Obi abata | Yoruba (Nigeria) | Cola acuminata. Splits into 3 to 6 lobes. A nut with 4 lobes is used in obi divination. |
| Obi gbanja | Yoruba (Nigeria) | Cola nitida. Splits into 2 lobes. The kola most traded and sold. |
| Goro, gworo | Hausa (Nigeria, Niger) | Cola nitida. The kola most widely chewed in the north. |
Kola nut vs bitter kola
Both are chewed and shared, and both have "kola" in the name, so people mix them up. They come from different plants.1
Kola nut
Plant: Cola nitida, Cola acuminata
Names: obi, oji, goro
Looks like: a pink, red or cream nut that splits into lobes
Used for: welcome and ceremony, chewing for energy
Bitter kola
Plant: Garcinia kola
Names: orogbo, aki ilu
Looks like: a brown nut, usually sold whole
Used for: chewing, often next to kola nut
Read more in our bitter kola guide.
Breaking kola: what it means
In Igbo homes, nothing starts before the kola. A visit, a meeting, a wedding, a naming ceremony or the new yam festival opens with oji.4,5 The eldest man present takes the nut, says a prayer over it, breaks it and passes the pieces around. The Igbo saying "Oji bu ndu" means "kola is life".
Among the Yoruba, a kola nut that splits into four lobes is used in obi divination. Among the Hausa, goro is widely chewed.3
Kola also gave its name to cola soft drinks. Early colas used kola nut for flavor, and the US still lists kola nut extract as a natural flavoring.1
Cooking for a Nigerian gathering? Browse our Nigerian groceries.
How to eat kola nut
- Pick a fresh oneGood kola is firm and heavy, not dry or wrinkled.
- Split itBreak it along its natural lobes with your fingers or a knife.
- Chew slowlyBite off a small piece and chew. It is bitter, so start small.
What's in kola nut
Kola nut has caffeine, so skip it if you avoid caffeine, and check with your doctor if you are pregnant or take medicine.7
Where to buy kola nut
We sell fresh kola nuts by weight: 4 oz (about 2 nuts) for $5.99 and 8 oz (about 4 nuts) for $11.49, at our store on 87th Street in Chicago and online. Looking for bitter kola instead? It's here too.
Kola nut FAQ
Is kola nut the same as bitter kola?
No. Kola nut (obi, goro) comes from Cola trees. Bitter kola (orogbo, aki ilu) is the seed of Garcinia kola, a different plant. Both are chewed and shared in West Africa, which is why the names get mixed up.
Does kola nut have caffeine?
Yes. Dried kola nut has about 2 to 3.5% caffeine, plus some theobromine, the same family of compounds found in cocoa. That is why people chew it to stay alert.
What does kola nut taste like?
Bitter. Fresh kola is firm and crunchy, so most people chew a small piece slowly.
What is obi abata?
Obi abata is the Yoruba name for Cola acuminata, the kola that splits into 3 to 6 lobes. Obi gbanja (Cola nitida) splits into 2.
Why do Igbo people break kola nut?
Breaking kola (oji) opens a visit, a meeting, a wedding or a naming ceremony. The eldest person prays over it, breaks it and shares it with everyone. It stands for welcome, peace and life: "Oji bu ndu."
Did Coca-Cola use kola nut?
Cola drinks take their name from the kola nut, which was used to flavor early colas. Kola nut extract is still allowed as a natural flavoring in the US.
Where can I buy kola nut in Chicago?
At Yado Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago. We sell fresh kola nuts by weight, in 4 oz (about 2 nuts) and 8 oz (about 4 nuts) packs, in store and online.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Kola nut.
- PROSEA. Cola nitida, Cola acuminata.
- Core.ac.uk. Kola nut types and uses in Nigeria.
- USC Folklore Archives. Oji (Kola Nut).
- Face2Face Africa. The role of kola nuts in Igbo culture.
- Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology. Kola nut review (2017).
- Cleveland Clinic. What is kola nut?