Marula

What Is Marula?

Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is the yellow-skinned fruit of a tree that grows in Southern and Eastern Africa. Once ripe, fruit that falls from the tree is collected; it has white, juicy, tart-sweet flesh.

In the region's culture both the fruit and its kernel are important: the flesh is eaten fresh or processed into drinks, while the oily seed inside the hard kernel is also used separately. The fruit is the source of the famous creamy liqueur Amarula.

Nutritional Values of Marula

Marula flesh provides roughly 43 kcal of energy per 100 g, making it low-calorie; its most striking feature is its very high vitamin C content, and it also provides water and fibre. Values are approximated from a similar profile.

What Are the Benefits of Marula?

With its high vitamin C, water, and fibre content, marula can be considered part of a balanced, fruit-rich diet.

This information is general; marula is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Marula?

Good marula has yellowed, plump skin and smells sweet-tart. Overly softened, alcohol-smelling specimens have begun to ferment; fresher, slightly firmer ones are preferred.

• The skin should be yellowed and plump
• The smell should be sweet-tart
• Alcohol-smelling (fermented) specimens should not be chosen

How to Store Marula?

Since ripe marula tends to ferment quickly, it should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed or processed within a short time. Its shelf life can be extended by turning it into juice or jam.

Using Marula in the Kitchen

Marula is eaten fresh; it is also used to make juice, jam, jelly, and liqueur. The oily seed extracted from its hard kernel is used as a snack or cooking ingredient in some regions.

What Is the Marula Kernel Used For?

The seed inside the hard kernel is rich in fat and protein; it can be eaten, and marula oil is also extracted from it by pressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does marula taste like?

It has a tart-sweet, mildly tropical taste; its sweetness increases and its aroma intensifies as it ripens.

Are Amarula and marula the same thing?

Amarula is a creamy liqueur made from the marula fruit; marula is the fruit itself, from which the liqueur is made.

Why is marula considered a vitamin C source?

Its flesh contains noticeably more vitamin C than many common fruits; that's why it is an important vitamin C source in the regions where it grows.