Aizen

   Aizen is a fruit from Africa.  It grows wild in Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan  and Togo.  It appears that aizel originated in this part of the world only.   Aizen bears small cherry sized fruits which are sweet.  These are eaten fresh.  The fruits can also be dried and form a caramel like substance.

Description: 
Leaves greenish mat hue, coriaceus, spread or erect, elliptic, or ovate-elliptic, obtuse or mucronate, reaching 12 cm x 4 cm, with 5-6 lateral veins arranged in arcs ending at the tip of the following vein and linked together by a network of smaller veins producing a polygonal pattern on the lower side of the leaf;  veins protruding on the lower face; white veins very conspicuous on the upper side, contrasting with the green of the leaf blade.                             

Fruit a spherical berry, 1.5 (1.2) cm in diameter, yellow when mature, shortly subsessile, clustered in small bunches (with usually 2-3 fruits only), slightly but not always hairy; pericarp crustaceus; pulp translucent, of jelly-like texture, sweet.

Utilization:
Ripe aizen fruits contain a delicious sweet jelly that surrounds the seeds.  This jelly is consumed directly.   The jelly can also be made into syrup.  In Sudan, the fruits are fermented to make a beer.  The fruits are also sold in the local market

 Aizen seeds are also eaten but of course after soaking in water and removing the bitter element.  These are an important food in Senegal. These seeds are quite nutritive and contain about 25 per cent protein and 60 per cent carbohydrates.  These are a good source of zinc and iron.  The seeds 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.

                                 
                                                        Aizen Seed

Cultivation:

Aizen shrubs grow wild and have not been domesticated yet in spite of their being an important source of food.  So there is no information available yet on its multiplication and culture.  However, work should be initiated on the domestication of this fruit.