Puzzle Description:

Kola nut pod, native to the rain forests of Africa; a common source of caffeine in West Africa; related to the cocoa bean of South America.

#1: Teresa K (fasstar) on Feb 11, 2010 [SPOILER]

Kola nuts are used mainly for their stimulant qualities. The kola nut has a bitter flavor and contains caffeine. Chewing kola nut can ease hunger pangs. Kola nuts are often used to treat whooping cough and asthma. The caffeine present acts as a bronchodilator, expanding the bronchial air passages.

It is chewed in many West African cultures, individually or in a group setting. It is often used ceremonially, presented to tribal chiefs or presented to guests. It is preferred among African Muslims, who are forbidden to drink alcohol.

Kola nuts are perhaps best known to Western culture as a flavouring ingredient and the source of caffeine in Coca Cola and other similarly flavoured beverages.

Here's more info and photos:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kola_nut

i thought it was some kind of armadillo

It certainly resembles one. Even the photo looks more like a living creature than a plant.

Sadly, I wouldn't have recognized this. It does look like the photo, however.

I don't suppose many (any) will recognize it. I know I have never seen anything like this before. I did think it would make an interesting puzzle though.

You were right. ;-)

Thanks, Paul.

Another interesting and educational puzzle. Well done.

I'm glad you liked it, Levi.

ditto #8. fun, simple solve too. :)

Thanks.

I think I had heard that the nut was the basis for the shape of the Coca-Cola bottle.

Well, plants are living creatures in a sense. Though it was an easy puzzle, after the start, it was a lot of fun to watch it solve itself ...

Goto next topic

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