QUINTAIS IMORTAIS: Hanza (Boscia senegalensis, Capparaceae)

sábado, 23 de março de 2013

Hanza (Boscia senegalensis, Capparaceae)

10-year old hanza tree. Location: Zinder, Republic of Niger

Called “hanza” or “dilo” in the Haussa language of Niger, this perennial bush grows up to a height of three meters in its native and drought-stressed environment of stony slopes and cracking-clay plains of the Sahel (rainfall 100-600mm). It flowers from October to December and the ripe fruits become available for human consumption from June to July. Still widely used in the Sahel as a famine food, hanza is an important element of Niger’s food traditions. The Peulh people have been eating hanza seeds in times of abundance. The Touareg use them especially in the cold season and in the Zinder region, the “gara”, a traditional assortment of foods the bride receives on her wedding day, typically contained debittered hanza.

Mature hanza fruits ready for consumption. Location: Zinder, Republic of Niger

The ripe hanza fruits contain a delicious sweet jelly that surrounds the seeds and that can be either used for direct consumption or be made into syrup. The remaining seeds are the more significant product. After drying they can be stored for extended periods and they are protected from insects because of their bitter taste. To render the seeds edible they need to be soaked in water for several days, changing water regularly. After processing the seeds they assume a texture and taste reminiscent of chickpeas. They are rich in protein (25% of dry matter), carbohydrates (60%), zinc and iron, and they are used in stews, soups, and porridges. They can also be dried again and ground to yield flour that is then used in a variety of bakery products.

The genus Boscia includes almost a dozen species bearing edible fruits in Africa, of which B. angustifolia and B. albitrunca are the two better-known species.