Wednesday, May 8, 2013

"They Actually Eat That:" Amarula/Marula.

Want to see for yourself if marula fruit works? Good news: Humans like marula, too. In fact, we like marula so much that marula trees are protected. Translated: don't chop them down, we want awesome fermented fruit!


Source.

Marula is so known for its alcoholic properties that it has "birrea" in its scientific name (Sclerocarya birrea). It can be found in southern Africa and Madagascar. One of the closest relatives to marula is the cashew plant, of all things. Marula is extremely popular in its native areas, with so many uses aside from liquor that it's insane.

First off, the fruit is edible. Much like most animals, people can enjoy the ripe fruit of the marula tree without getting wasted. The hard-cased seed is high in fat and protein. Other, less orthodox uses include a bite/sting painkiller, ink, and pesticide. It's not a panacea so much as "try marula for your household needs!" There is so much more to this fruit than just drunk elephants.




Finally, yes, marula can indeed be used to make liquor. The fruits naturally ferment after about three days. The most famous of these is Amarula, a marula and cream beverage that supposedly makes amazing cocktails. They use an elephant as a marketing mascot, if only because elephants love marula fruit. It is apparently so deeply associated with elephants that the clip from last entry might have some basis in fact.

Now, does the fruit really get elephants drunk? Probably not. They may, however, still get high off of the beetle-infested bark of the tree. Either way, they're still as fond of recreational drugs as humans are. I propose that the Animals Are Beautiful People clip not be entirely dismissed, seeing as elephants do get drunk. Marula fruits are indeed a natural source of liquor. Feel free to share it with your college friends.

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