Kendall Farms | Saba Nut

The History of the Saba Nut

The origins of the Saba Nut can be found in the lowland regions of the Amazon and it is an ideal sub-tropical / tropical tree that is drought, disease and flood tolerant. There is much conjecture about its type and therefore identification, but it seems that varieties are much the same. It is one of the most important trees available in world today and has been renamed by the UN as the Provision Tree because of its ability to grow in harsh conditions and provide sustenance from the fruit (nuts) produced, the new leaves can be used in stir fry (as a vegetable).

The Kendall Farms Range

The Saba Nut is a beautiful tree-well worth considering for landscaping and is also known as The Provision Tree for its ability to not only produce great edible nuts but also edible leaves. This medium sized fast growing evergreen tree is grown in many parts of the world. It is grown mainly for its edible seeds; however it also makes a suitable potted indoor plant or outdoor specimen. The large white flowers are very fragrant, another reason to have it in the garden. Overall, this versatile tree is a handsome landscape addition. It has been often said that this magnificent tree could seriously challenge the macadamia, the nuts are so good.

Cultivation Notes

Production starts within a few years. The large, white, self-fertile flowers display spectacular clusters of 10cm cream-white stamens. The fruit is a woody green five-valved pod up to 30cm in length. The capsules that follow burst open when the seeds are ripe.

The plant grows well in mild inland parts and coastal areas. The plant will tolerate brief exposure to low temperatures but won't tolerate frost. A frost-free location with some protection from hot, drying winds is the best choice for the plant. It will take full sun to partial shade. Saba Nut are not overly fussy about soil as long as it is well drained. Can grow to 7m-but usually around 4/5m-is mostly evergreen but will shed a few leaves. Self pollinating the fruit (nuts) are available January to March.

Interesting Facts

It is one of the most important trees available in world today and has been renamed by the UN as the Provision Tree because of its ability to grow in harsh conditions and provide sustenance from the fruit (nuts) produced, the new leaves can be used in stir fry (as a vegetable).

The seeds can be eaten either raw or roasted. When roasted or fried in oil they taste like chestnuts or cashews, raw they taste like peanuts and keep for months in a cool, dry place. They can also be ground and used as a flour substitute when baking bread. It is a stunning looking tree (related to the boabob) the tree grows with a distinctive swollen base trunk, is evergreen and is an all round awesome landscape tree or feature tree. Truly beautiful!

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Malabar Chestnut / Saba Nut

Courtesy of Market Manilla www.marketmanilla.com

malabar5 "Another unusual find at Herbana Farms’ stand at the Salcedo Market last Saturday were some From the same tree often sold as a “money tree,” the larger specimens bear fruit after many years and the their seeds taste quite good raw, with a faint, almost peanut like flavour, and they also taste good when fried or roasted, approximating the texture and flavour of a regular chestnut, though milder....