A native of Africa, Boscia senegalensis is an evergreen shrub or tree that grows in Senegal, Mauritania, the Sahel, Egypt, Somalia, and Kenya. It belongs to the Capparaceae family and is frequently referred to as “hanza.” Originally from West Africa, the plant. This little-known fruit, which is still an African staple food, has the potential to enhance nutrition, increase food security, promote rural development, and aid in sustainable land management. It is extensively used for its fruits and seeds, and it also serves as a source of materials and medication.
The clusters of yellow berries, which can reach a diameter of 15 mm, resemble cherry-sized fruits. Their translucent, jelly-like pulp is fairly delicious when first ripe. It immediately dries up in the desiccating air, though, and transforms into something akin to caramel before becoming a brittle, brown, and surprisingly sweet solid. It is challenging to remove the toffee-like delicacy from the seed, despite its excellent flavour. The ripe fruits are frequently cooked in addition to being consumed fresh. Sometimes the juice is drawn out, filtered, and then reduced to a semisolid that is frequently used with millet and curdled milk to make cakes.
Common Name: Aizen, Hanza, Mukheit, Bere, Ngigil, mandiarha
Botanical Name: Boscia senegalensis
Bloom Time/Fruiting: 4 to 5 Years
Maintenance Required: Moderate
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.