Bitter kola nut powder, 4 oz. One ingredient: 100 percent ground bitter kola nuts. Nothing added. Packed in a resealable, food grade pouch.
If you grew up with it, you may know it as ground orogbo or aku ilu. If you are new to it, this page tells you what it is, how to use it, and how it differs from kola nut powder.
What bitter kola powder is
Bitter kola is the seed of Garcinia kola, a tree that grows across the rainforest belt of West and Central Africa. This powder is those nuts, finely ground. You will see it sold as:
- Bitter kola powder or bitter kola nut powder
- Garcinia kola powder (the name of the tree)
- Ground bitter kola or powdered bitter kola
- Ground orogbo (Yoruba), aku ilu (Igbo), miji goro (Hausa), petit cola (French speaking West Africa)
They are all the same thing.
Not the same as kola nut powder
Bitter kola and kola nut come from different trees, and their powders are not interchangeable.
| Bitter kola powder | Kola nut powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Garcinia kola | Cola nitida or Cola acuminata |
| Taste | Bitter, then sweet | Bitter, then sweet, with caffeine |
| Also called | Orogbo, petit cola | Obi, gworo |
More here: Bitter kola vs kola nut.
Why powder
- The grinding is done. Whole nuts are hard and need a knife or a grater. The powder is ready to use.
- You can measure it. Bitter kola is assertive, so measuring matters.
- It mixes in. It stirs into liquids, soups and batters.
The trade off: ground spice loses its edge faster than whole, so buy the size you will use. If you want whole nuts for chewing or for guests, see Bitter Kola Nut, 0.5 lb.
Our powder is prepared using our proprietary method. To see why that matters, read How to make bitter kola powder: why sun drying falls short.
How to use it
As printed on the pouch:
- Drinks. Mix 1 teaspoon into a glass of water, juice or a smoothie. Recipe: bitter kola tea.
- Cooking. Add half to 1 teaspoon to soups, stews or sauces.
- Baking. Add it to bread or muffins for a bitter note.
Start small and taste before you add more. For recipes, read Bitter kola uses: how to cook with bitter kola powder.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Reseal the pouch after each use.
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Use it often? Get the same 4 oz pouch every 30 days at 10 percent off. Skip or cancel any time from your account: Bitter Kola Powder, Subscribe and Save.
Buying from Jeb Foods
- Sold by Jeb Foods, Union, New Jersey
- Orders ship within 48 hours, Monday to Friday
- Shipping cost depends on weight and where you are, and you see it before you pay
- Returns within 30 days, unopened and in original packaging. No restocking fee. Full policy
Questions people ask
Is garcinia kola powder the same thing? Yes. Garcinia kola is the name of the tree. The powder is the ground nut.
What does it taste like? Sharply bitter at first, with a sweetness that comes up behind it. Some people compare the aftertaste to liquorice.
How much should I use in cooking? Less than you would think. Start with half a teaspoon in a pot and taste before you add more.
Can I buy bitter kola powder near me? Some African grocery stores carry whole bitter kola, but the powder is harder to find in stores. We ship across the US from New Jersey. More here: Where to buy bitter kola and bitter kola powder in the USA.
Is there anything else in it? No. One ingredient, nothing added.
Read more: What is bitter kola? The Nigerian nut, explained.
What is garcinia kola powder?
Garcinia kola powder is bitter kola powder by its botanical name: the seeds of the Garcinia kola tree, native to the forests of West and Central Africa, ground fine. Ours is one ingredient, ground bitter kola nuts, with nothing added.
