Soap-Pod

Where does Soap-Pod grow?

Found in: Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

Notes: There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. The pods of this one are used for soap. Also as Mimosaceae.

Status: It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea. It is sold in local markets in Cambodia and Laos.

Growing Soap-Pod

Cultivation: It can be grown from seeds. The seedlings can be transplanted.

Edible Uses: The acid fruit are used in Philippine cooking to give a sour flavour. They are roasted and eaten. The leaves and seeds are put into hot sour soup. They can also be curried with salted fish and coconut milk. The sour leaves are used as a substitute for tamarind. The seeds are edible after roasting. The young leaves are used in chutneys. They are also used in soups. The young shoots are used to make pickles or cooked as a vegetable. The flowers are used as a vegetable.

Production: Plants flower throughout the year. Fruit are on trees from February to March.

Nutrition Info

References

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