Snot apple (goron tula)

Thespesia garckeana

fruit

Small fruit of a shrubby hibiscus, eaten in Malawi; elsewhere, the whole fruit except the seeds is chewed like chewing gum, leaving a sweet slime.

Origin

Tropical Africa, from Nigeria to southern Africa

Where to find it

Its fruits are sold in small piles at markets in northern Nigeria, where its Hausa name comes from, and in Malawi and Zambia.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The small fruit is eaten raw; the seeds are spat out, and the chewing lasts as long as its mucilage does.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Pectins · Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

Hence its English name, snot apple; in Malawi it is called matowo.