The Marula Tree
A South African treasure: fruit, nut, alcohol, oil, bark, and more!
Hello from South Africa!
I am currently on the most incredible trip of my life and am so glad you’re enjoying the content I’ve been sharing thus far. Despite moving around quite a bit, Ngala (Greater Kruger), Phinda (KwaZulu-Natal in the Eastern mountains), Cape Town and now the Cape Winelands (wine country - Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek) there is one tree that has impacted all parts of my trip: the Marula tree.
The Marula Tree
Also known as the King of the African trees, the Elephant tree or the Marriage tree, it is a large tree found in South Africa. It is called The King of African trees as it is resistant to drought and multipurpose, and the Tree of the Elephants because these animals feast on its branches, leaves, and fruit. They are particularly fond of the fruit when they’re ripe and fermented… Drunk elephant galore (it’s a myth but let’s roll with it here). Lastly, it is also called the Tree of Marriage as it is a symbol of fertility.
It is widespread in Eastern Africa from Ethiopia down to KwaZulu-Natal meaning that it doesn’t necessarily hit Southern South Africa (where I am now) but you can still find many products using its oils and so forth.
This singular tree provides so much to the community, animals included. It’s a member of anacardiaceae family, like the mango and cashew nut tree. It’s dioecious which just means there are both male and female trees. To determine the sex of an unborn child, Marula tree bark infusions can be used, male tree bark is used for a son and female tree bark for a daughter. If the child of the opposite gender is born, the child defied the spirits and is extremely fortuitous and special!
You may have heard/seen me speak about it as it is a primary ingredient in one of my favorite liqueurs, Amarula:
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The tree itself can survive (and thrive) in woodlands, sandy soil but also sometimes in loam (clay/sand). It’s a medium to large single stemmed tree that looks like an umbrella as it has a rounded crown of greenery above. Its fruits and nuts are rich in minerals and vitamins and can be used in a multitude of ways. Archaeologists suggest that it’s been around as long as ago as 12,000 years so it naturally has many legends surrounding it and supposed mystical properties in the community.
It deserves much more recognition from foreigners than simply “the drink” as each element of the tree - its fruit, kernel, leaves, wood, bark and oil - are individually as beneficial as the next. It’s a multipurpose tree and can be used literally from “nose to tail”. In my eyes, it’s the tree of the future.
side note - although I write about its medicinal properties below, please remember I’m not a doctor I just love plants.
Fruit
You’ll be able to spot flowers any time from September to November and enjoy their fruit from late January to March. Unfortunately they won’t be ready by the time I leave! Devastating. The fruit is the size of a small plum and has a bright green leathery thick skin. I find it looks just like a fresh walnut! Not only is it extremely high in Vitamin C, it’s also delicious. Since it comes from the same family as a mango, its insides are also quite similar - a yellowish green peel, white flesh and a large kernel right in the middle.
Tea and Coffee
The skin of the Marula fruit can be boiled to make a sort of tea. It can also be burnt and used as a substitute for coffee. I haven’t tried either but I’d love to, I’ll just have to take a trip back here when the fruit is in season! twist my arm…
The ranger on safari (and my mom) really enjoyed it in a mocha. A bit too sweet for me but definitely a fan favorite!
Amarula - gentle reminder that you can always shop my bar cart here :)
Made from the fermented marula fruit, the spirit is distilled and aged in French oak for two years and is then blended with cream.
The most gorgeous creamy alcohol. My friend Natalie introduced me to it a few years ago as a replacement for Baileys to get us going for early morning tailgates in college... That fateful day, I also chose to put it in my oatmeal because hey, you need to eat before a day of drinking!
I like it best in coffee - a treat after a 5AM morning safari - but it can also be enjoyed on ice in the afternoon.
You can also add it to desserts - displayed here as an Amarula cream on top of chocolate mousse. I’m definitely going to try and make an Amarula ice cream or perhaps a version of an affogato (vanilla ice cream covered in an espresso shot + Amarula) when I start having South Africa withdrawals.
A mixer?? Some enjoy this liqueur as a mixer to vodka, gin, rum, brandy… a recipe for a headache cocktail but you do YOU.
Homemade “Beer”
Click this photo to see a step by step for to make Marula Beer Think of this as a cider! The fruit is peeled and fermented overnight with some extra water and sugar.
If it’s extremely hot out, the vessel the beer is prepared and will be placed in a hole dug under ground to keep it cool.
It’s a local and traditional beverage so individually specific recipes are passed down from family member to family member.
You must drink it quickly, as it will taste rotten by day 4!
Marula Beer is also called Mokhope, Ubuganu or Umkumbi in South Africa
In Namibia they use a differing method and call their liquor Ombiké and in Mozambique it is called Ucanhe.
Jam, jelly, marmalade
Marula Chili Jelly and Marula Marmalade!
Raw
I simply must come back to try this???
The skins can be used as a fertilizer when planting.
Kernel
Kernels can be eaten whole as they are and also ground up. Once ground, you can actually make porridge with it! Further, you can use it to make condiments such as the below…
I hope I can get my hands on a version of this before I leave!
Oil
Marula oil comes from the kernels of the fruit. It is very commonly used in cosmetics as it contains a lot of Vitamin C and is a highly moisturizing agent.
The oil’s amino acid properties can supposedly help with anti-aging and its fatty acids can help moisturize. It’s lightweight so it absorbs easily into the skin.
It is used for a multitude of reasons such as to prevent stretch marks, reduce fine lines, lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation…
I am bringing back a sample pack of moisturizer, hair care, after sun etc made from the oil and can’t wait to test it all out.
Leaves
For animals:
Elephants, waterbuck, giraffe, kudu, and more feast on its leaves habitually.
For humans:
Pure flavor! The leaves can be used as spice and for dressings.
Another form of dressing, the leaves were once used as “bandaids” on wounds.
Eating the leaves can supposedly relieve heartburn as well.
Wood and bark
The bark:
is used to make rope
is boiled to produce a light brown dye
can be steamed alongside hot water as it contains antihistamines so it can cleanse the system when breathed in. Marula spa day please and thank YOU!
can be used as medicine and as malaria prophylactic or a diarrhea cure (cute but now you know) when crushed and mixed with water
chewing on the bark can also help digestion
is traditionally used to determine the sex of an unborn child. Simply boil water and bark to make an infusion and drink! - male tree bark if you want a son and female tree bark if you have a hankering for a daughter. If the child of the opposite gender is born, the child defied the spirits and is extremely fortuitous and special so it’s a no lose venture!!
The inner wood is quite soft so it is used for carving. Just check out the “marula wood furniture” selection on Etsy, it’s fascinating!
Cheers to the Marula tree and cheers to South Africa! There is so much more to learn about the Marula tree but I hope this gives you a good starting point. I can’t wait to come back to South Africa myself and actually try the ripe fruit.
I’ve left next week’s substack open as many of you have been asking me questions about the trip - please let me know what else you’d like to learn about and I’ll write it all up for you (rooibos, South African cuisine, foraged safari fruit, Cape Town, vineyards, my condiment tour etc...)!.
OK BYE NOW OFF TO RAINY LONDON :’)
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