White bauhinia, Zambezi coffee

A tropical plant. It grows in woodland and wooded grassland at medium and low altitudes. It is often on termite mounds. It grows from 120-1800 m altitude. It is more common in the lowlands. It is damaged by drought or frost. It needs well-drained soil. In Zimbabwe it grows in areas with a rainfall between 600-750 mm per year. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Also known as:

Chingando, Imondo, Koffiebeesklou, Michingando, Mpando, Mpandula, Mpapa, Muauwa, Mubondo, Mumwando, Mun’ando, Mupondo, Muuwa

Synonyms

Perlebia petersiana (Bolle) Schmitz

Edible Portion

Seeds - coffee, Seeds, Nectar, Root

Where does White bauhinia grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 250-350 Bauhinia species. Most are in the tropics. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Growing White bauhinia, Zambezi coffee

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds usually grow quickly. The roots are only shallow.

Edible Uses: The ground seeds are sometimes used as a coffee substitute. The seeds are eaten green and ripe. Ripe seeds are roasted and peeled and pounded into a gritty meal. The nectar of the flowers is eaten The root is eaten raw and also baked and pounded.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part	Energy (kcal)	Protein (g)	Iron (mg)	Vitamin A (ug)	Vitamin c (mg)	Zinc (mg)	% Water
Seeds - coffee	371	22.9	3.9	-	-	2.9	6.8
Pods	248	9.2	0.5	-	29.7	-	40.5

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