Nuts
Shell
Kola seed coats and protective layers are not food. The working product is the split caffeine-rich kernel for chew or extract. Keep grit out of preparations. Fresh kolas are perishable; dried keep cooler and drier. Cultural stimulant identity, not pie shell stock.
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat 0.5 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 4.88 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 78 g
- Dietary Fibre 55 g
- Total Sugars 3 g
- Complex / starch 8 g
- Protein 3.5 g
- Water 12 g
- Energy 349 kcal
- Water 12 g
- Carbohydrates 78 g
- Protein 3.5 g
- Fat 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat 0.5 g
- Omega-3 0.08 g
- Vitamins 95 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.17 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.13 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.68 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.42 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.12 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 17.6 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 46.5 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 5.71 mg
- Vitamin K 5.7 µg
- Minerals 390 mg
- Major Minerals 389 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.17 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.13 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.68 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.42 · vitamin-b6: 0.12 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 17.6 · vitamin-b9-folate: 46.5 · vitamin-e: 5.71 · vitamin-k: 5.7 ·
Minerals
Shell is largely mineral; edible value is minimal except as calcium source when finely prepared.
History
West African societies used kola in trade, ritual, and social greeting long before colonial soft drinks.
Kola trade networks linked forest producers with Sahelian and coastal markets.
Early cola beverages drew on kola flavour and caffeine associations in their origin stories.
Fresh kola remains culturally central in West Africa while global soft drinks use other caffeine sources.