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Bitter kola seed (Garcinia kola)

Bitter kola seed is the firm, strongly bitter and astringent seed of Garcinia kola, eaten fresh or dried and sometimes used as flavouring.

Bitter kola seed (Garcinia kola) — illustrative ingredient image

About Bitter kola seed (Garcinia kola)

Bitter kola seed is the seed of Garcinia kola, a West African food and chewing seed. It is eaten fresh or dried in some contexts and is also used as a flavouring; its customary uses vary by region.

The seed is typically firm and irregularly shaped, with a pale to brownish interior and a strongly bitter, astringent taste. Freshness and drying affect its texture and flavour. It is distinct from cola nuts and from bitter gourd seeds.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where bitter kola seed (garcinia kola) appears

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Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for bitter kola seed (garcinia kola)

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

Hausa

namijin-goro

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Bitter kola seed (Garcinia kola) nutrition & diet

Bitter kola seed (Garcinia kola) nutritional value

Reference: Bitter cola, seeds, fresh, raw

Per 100 g of 100 g edible portion in the named official reference form.

Calories
183kcal
Protein
2.6g
Carbs
37.3g
Fat
2.1g

Official national food-composition reference. The displayed food form is part of the estimate; cultivar, recipe, brand, processing and preparation can change values.

Fresh and dried seeds differ in moisture and texture, so comparisons should specify the form measured.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: FAO/INFOODS Food Composition Table for Western Africa (2019) — 06_032 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .