Brazil's special nut - a high caffine stimulant

found uniquely in Brazil in the Amazon jungle, the Guarana plant is a tropical climbing shrub that is cultivated by a few indian tribes for centuries.  it does not grow wild. The seeds make a potent stimulant

A stick of GUARANA is found in most Brazilian homes.  The hard stick is rubbed over a grate to scrape off some powder.  A teaspoon of powder is spread on the surface of a cup of cold water.   As the powder dissolves the reddish-brown solution is drunk by millions of people every morning.  The taste is extremely agreeable when mixed with sugar, but quite bitter when consumed alone.   In spite of the high caffeine content, Guarana acts extremely slowly.  During a 4 to 6 hour period it stimulates circulation and frees the human body from a drowsy condition.   A person eating a heavy meal of fish or meat will be perked up..

The  seeds are plucked one by one, the seeds are cleaned by rubbing in water, then dried in the sun.  Next they are roasted on a pan or earthenware pot stirring frequently until the shells become brittle.  The hot seeds are put into a strong fiber bag and beaten with a cudgel to remove the shells.  Then the seeds are reheated to remove more moisture.  The clean kernels are crushed in a mortar

This makes a fine, dry powder.  During the night moisture seeps into the powder from the air and the  next day the powder is formed into bars, cakes,, or figures of animals.  These cakes are slowly dried in an oven using little heat for 2 to 3 weeks.

The drink is believed to improve health, help digestion, prevent sleepiness, increase mental activity, and it is whispered that it improves sexual activities.

The pounded Guarana seeds are used as a flour in Guarana bread.   The seeds are also mingled with casava and water to make the favorite drink of the Orinoco Indians.

Mahoe

This Hawaiian tree is very rare and only found in isolated forested areas.   There are also species growing in New Zealand and Malaya.

The fruits hang in clusters, and very large, have the color of potato, and are smooth.   They rupture when mature, exposing the glossy surface of the chestnut-brown orbicular seed.  The name MAHOE means "twins" in Hawaii, referring to the double fruit that is common on this plant.  Hawaiians eat the nut kernels.

Akee

The seeds have fine flavor when roasted.  This native tree in New Guinea was named for Captain Bligh of the Bounty, and is known as the Blighia sapida.   The 3" fruit is atractive, yellow to red in color, and pear shaped.   It holds shiny black seeds that are said to be poisonous when green or overripe, but wholesome to eat when just ripe.  They can be fried or boiled.

Other edible Species:

Crossonephelis penangensis   
There is only one species on the island of Madagascar.   The kernel is boiled and eagerly eaten by local natives in Kuala Lumpur.

Kubili     This Philipinne tree is also found in Molucca and Celebes.  The fruit is oval, covered with numerous pointed projections.  Inside is a large, starchy nut about the size of a chestnut.   In Baguio it is sold in the local market and is called CASTANAS.   The nut is of good quality but is rather lacking in flavor.   The nut is very nutritious.   Some love the nut when it is boiled or roasted.   It is mostly made up of carbohydrates.

Deinbollia grandfolia   A genus of 40 species of tropical trees in Africa and madagascar.   The fruit contains a single seed which is said to be edible.

Genip
Mamoncillo
Spanish Lime     This West Indian tree has big clusters of fruiit.  Inside is a large seed.   Children love to pop open the fruit and let the pulp and seed slide into their mouths.  While most fruits have one oval see, some are doubled.   The seed is best when roasted.   In Hawaii the tree bears fruit and they roast the seeds also.

Lanau   A small genus of trees found in southeastern Asia and Malaysia.  The roasted seeds taste like chestnuts.   In South Africa, 3 species have edible seeds.

Soapberry   13 species of trees in the south Pacific.  The fruit is used for soap - hence the name.   The seed contains 50% oil content.   They can be eaten when quite ripe, but care should be taken to not put anything more than the seed into the mouth becasue the latex, which is in the fruit wall, is caustic.   

Bladder Nut   There are 10 species of Bladder Nut in the northern hemisphere.   The kernel of the fruit tastes like pistachios and are eaten in Germany by children.    We have an American Bladder Nut species indigenous to the northern United States.  Each fruit is triangular in form, paper shelled, and has a long point at each apex.   Each cell contains three very hard shining seeds.