Desert date

Balanites aegyptiaca

fruit · leaf

Fruits with brown, sweet and bitter pulp, sucked or soaked into a drink; the young leaves are cooked in sauce, and the kernel gives an oil.

Origin

Sahel, East Africa and the Middle East

Where to find it

In the Sahel, its dried fruits, the Wolof “soump”, are sold at markets; in Niger and Chad, an oil is also made from them and sold in villages.

Season (United States)

July to October

Preparation

The brittle skin of the dried fruit is removed, then the pulp is sucked from around the very hard stone, which is spat out.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Pectins · Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

It withstands the worst droughts: it is often the last green tree of the Sahel.