Loyal followers of my blog might remember that I posted photos last year of a tree I dubbed the Lorax Tree because it looked like it belonged in a Dr. Seuss book. Last Friday, I finally had a chance to take a picture of what this tree actually produces, and it turns out that that has a story of its own. Also, I learned the real name of the tree: the nere tree (pronounced nay-ray).
As you may remember from last year, after producing something that looks like orange Koosh balls, the tree produces large green pods. Inside the pod is a bright yellow material (as seen in the picture below) that seems somewhat like cotton or styrofoam.
Within the yellow cotton-like material are small brown things that are prepared for transformation into what the Beninese call 'mustard'.
The small brown things are cooked and then set out to dry.
Then they are pounded with a mortar and pestle and eventually formed into a round disc, which is sold in the market as 'mustard'.
This 'mustard' can be broken off into small chunks and added to sauces for extra flavor. In reality, it tastes nothing like mustard. You could really just consider it to play a role of a spice because it adds a new flavor to the sauce.
For those of you who never read my earlier posts on this tree or want a refresher, you can view them here:
Part 1: http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/02/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html
Part 2: http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/04/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html
As you may remember from last year, after producing something that looks like orange Koosh balls, the tree produces large green pods. Inside the pod is a bright yellow material (as seen in the picture below) that seems somewhat like cotton or styrofoam.
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| A girl eating the sweet yellow substance that her family harvested in large quantities from the pods |
Within the yellow cotton-like material are small brown things that are prepared for transformation into what the Beninese call 'mustard'.
 |
| These small brown things are separated out and collected |
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| Dried and ready for pounding |
Then they are pounded with a mortar and pestle and eventually formed into a round disc, which is sold in the market as 'mustard'.
 |
| The final product: "mustard" |
This 'mustard' can be broken off into small chunks and added to sauces for extra flavor. In reality, it tastes nothing like mustard. You could really just consider it to play a role of a spice because it adds a new flavor to the sauce.
For those of you who never read my earlier posts on this tree or want a refresher, you can view them here:
Part 1: http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/02/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html
Part 2: http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/04/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html
Hi Alex. How are you? I'm Rosine from Toucountouna Benin. You passed Toucountouna before maikng it to the Mountains before Cotiakou or Tanguieta. I was looking for the difference ways people speak French in Benin and France and then i got into your blog. Do you have a facebook page?
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