Jamaican Herbs and Spices - Kola Nut
Jamaican Kola Nut
Kola nut, or what Jamaican locals commonly refer to as "Bissy" is a nut containing caffeine used in both the food and pharmacutical industries.There are varying species of Kola nut found globally, however the Cola Acuminata and Cola Nitida can be found in Jamaica.
Other Names
Kola Nut is known around the world by various names, such as: Arbre à Cola, Arbre à Kola, Bissey Nut, Bissy Nut, Cola acuminata, Cola nitida, Guru Nut, Gworo, Kola Nut, Kolatier, Noix de Cola, Noix de Gourou, Noix de Kola, Noix du Kolatier, Noix de Soudan, Noix du Soudan, Nuez de Cola, Soudan Coffee, Sterculia acuminata, Sterculia nitida
Industry Uses
Kola Nut is used for short-term relief of fatigue, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), melancholy, lack of normal muscle tone (atony), exhaustion, dysentery, a type of diarrhea called atonic diarrhea, weight loss, and migraine headaches. In foods and beverages, Kola nut is used as a flavoring ingredient.
Constituents and Characteristics
Kola nuts comprise about 2% caffeine, as well as containing kolanin and theobromine. All three chemicals function as natural stimulants in and of themselves. caffeine (2–3.5%), theobromine (1.0–2.5%), theophylline, phenolics, phlobaphenes, (kola red), epicatechin, D-catechin, tannic acid, sugar, cellulose, water.