Here is how to make bitter kola powder, and why most people end up buying it instead. There is only one way to turn bitter kola into powder: dry the seed, then crush it and grind it. The hard part is the drying.
Bitter kola is the seed of the Garcinia kola tree. In Nigeria it is called orogbo in Yoruba, aku ilu in Igbo and miji goro in Hausa.
How to make bitter kola powder: the one process
- Dry the seed.
- Crush it.
- Grind it to a powder.
That is all there is to it. There is no other way to get bitter kola to a powder. Everything depends on step one, because a seed that is not fully dry will not grind into a fine, dry powder.
Why sun drying falls short
At home, most people sun dry the nuts. It is the traditional way, and it is how many families have always done it.
The problem is that sun drying never fully takes all the moisture out of the seed. You can leave the nuts out for days and they will still hold some inside.
That leftover moisture shows up later. A seed that still holds moisture turns into a damp paste in the grinder instead of a fine powder. Powder made from it can clump in the jar. And you only find out after all the waiting.
How JEB FOODS makes ours
Our bitter kola nut powder is made from whole bitter kola nuts, prepared using our proprietary method and then finely ground. Nothing is added. It is 100% ground bitter kola nuts in a resealable 4 oz pouch.
No sunny days, no waiting and no guessing whether it is dry enough. Open the pouch and it is ready to use.
How to use bitter kola powder
It is strong and it is truly bitter. Start with half a teaspoon. Half a teaspoon too much will take over a pot.
People mix it into water, juice or smoothies, stir it into pepper soup, stews and sauces, or add it to bread and muffins. There are six kitchen uses, with a simple recipe, in bitter kola uses: how to cook with bitter kola powder.
If you are pregnant, nursing or take medication, ask your doctor before adding it to your diet.
How to store it
Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Reseal the pouch after each use to keep it fresh, and always use a dry spoon.
Questions people ask
Is bitter kola powder the same as garcinia kola powder? Yes. Garcinia kola is the botanical name for bitter kola, so the two names mean the same powder.
Is bitter kola the same as kola nut? No. Bitter kola is Garcinia kola. Kola nut is a different tree. They taste different and are used differently.
Can I grind the nuts without drying them? No. Fresh nuts turn into a damp paste, not a powder.
Why is my homemade powder clumping? Moisture. Either the nuts still held moisture when they were ground, or the jar let moisture in.
What is in JEB FOODS bitter kola powder? One ingredient: ground bitter kola nuts. Nothing else is added, so what you taste is bitter kola and nothing more.
How much is in a pouch? Each resealable pouch holds 4 oz (113 g) of bitter kola nut powder. Because you only need about half a teaspoon at a time, a pouch goes a long way.
Should I buy whole nuts or powder? Buy whole bitter kola nuts if you like to chew them the traditional way. Buy bitter kola nut powder for drinks and cooking.
Read next: What is bitter kola? The Nigerian nut, explained.