An interesting topic of discussion occurred at work today. The kola nut is used to flavor carbonated soda beverages, resulting in the cola Americans love to guzzle today. But we could not name one other food that uses the kola nut.
I looked on the web (glorious repository of all knowledge) and learned that the kola nut was cultivated in the African and American tropics where they munch on it to get a caffeine buzz. But there was no mention of any other use in cooking.
And I also read that certain unnamed beverage manufacturers have replaced the kola nut with an artificial substitute mimicking the cola flavor. For shame!
So I say seek out this famed nut, and see if our palates can’t get a helping of the original flavor.