It is 4am on a cool February morning outside of Limpopo, South Africa in the northernmost province outside of Phalaborwa, quite near Kruger National Park. The end result creates balanced, sweet and silky flavors which are best tasted straight up or with a bit of ice, filled with chocolate, nuts and spice flavors. From there the stable spirit is aged in 12+ year old barrels for 2 years, adding depth, subtle flavors and intensity to the spirit. Unlike most wines and spirits, Amarula is created in two distinctly different places. The mineral composition of the fruit shows high concentrations of Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. ), they remove the pits, skin and juice those bad boys. The AMARULA Coco - A Labour of Life A light and refreshing AMARULA Coco. It is very similar to Baileys but it is made from wine instead of a spirit. From January to March in this part of South Africa hundreds of villagers, predominantly women, set out to do the work that will pay for their livelihood for the rest of the year – harvesting the bright yellow marula fruit to make the silky, luxurious Amarula Cream Liqueur. In these days of master mixology and cocktail snobbery, cream liqueur can be a hard sell. With a genuine African heritage, Amarula is more exotic than other cream liqueur brands. It's apparently made out of the fruit of some African tree, but you could've fooled me. The typical wine cooler: a light, alcoholic malt beverage flavored to taste like a fuzzy navel cocktail. Marula Natural Product Pty Ltd's Product Characteristics. This comes from the amarula fruit that it is made of. It’s best served on ice, and it’s a nice dessert type drink. The Marula fruit is said to make elephants drunk. The fruit is not only a delicacy for elephants, but also for most animals of the African savanna. It’s a tree native to Southern Africa, and is used in the fermentation of the national liqueur of South Africa called Amarula – a milky liqueur similar to Bailey’s Irish Cream, but it does have its own unique taste. To taste the marula fruit it is hard to imagine the end result of Amarula Cream is silky vanilla, berry and spice flavors, as the marula fruit in its pure form is quite tart. It is summer in South Africa and the only way to get through hot summer days is to get an early start, and there is work to do. Marula Alcohol. Once in Stellenbosch fermentation begins, first making marula wine from the pressed fruit pulp by adding a bit of yeast, which is also left on its skins through fermentation, which can last up to 10 days. It is 85% moisture and 14% carbohydrate, mostly sucrose. After fermentation the wine goes to column stills where the wine is turned into a spirit going in at 10% alcohol and coming out at 30%. However, the similarity in taste between grapefruit and marula is probably because of a dominant bitter taste caused by non volatiles. Marula oil is a relative newcomer to the beauty oil scene.Its light texture and rich moisture content properties have made it a popular treatment for skin, hair, and nails. An infusion of the inner bark of the Marula tree may be applied to scorpion stings and snake bites to alleviate pain and the leaves are chewed on to help indigestion and to treat heartburn. To taste the marula fruit it is hard to imagine the end result of Amarula Cream is silky vanilla, berry and spice flavors, as the marula fruit in its pure form is quite tart. A spicy, peppery finish and a hint of citrus — which is a nice touch in balancing out the overwhelming sweetness of the drink. 2 Shots: The taste stays shocking for longer than expected. That’s what I like to call a dedication to their craft and it shows. What is it? Harvest can be challenging, as fruit is only harvested after it has fallen from the trees to the ground, and the elephants and other local wild life have eaten their share. One … The taste of the marula fruit . I know that’s a shock to learn. With an acidity level 4-6 times that of an orange the ripe marula aroma is almost like ripe pears and passion fruit, with flavors that are quite similar and very tangy. Where does the Marula Grow? The South African cream liqueur embraces its connection to the African elephant and the African culture. Well below, I give to you my tasting notes – Amarula – 17%. If you like Bailey's you should give this a try. If you’re looking for a new face oil, you may want to try marula. Then there’s a hint of citrus, with a mix of ripe pears, passion fruit and guava. It is also tiring, as women will work the harvest and then walk many miles with 50 kg bags of bright yellow marula fruit carried in baskets or sacks on their head to the processing plant to deposit and receive payment. The liqueur has an alcohol content of 17% by volume. Amarula is a cream liqueur made from sugar, cream and the fruit borne from the African marula tree. So how does Amarula fare? During Feb 2002 the same pulp samples were tested for colour and the results as follows: The vitamin C content of our 2002 Marula Pulp sample was 112.3mg/100ml and a frozen sample from the 2001 season (12 months old at the time) showed a vitamin C content of 106.1mg/100ml and so we are confident that most of the vitamin C content is preserved during freezing, storage and shipping. It is hard work, but good work, and this year the harvest has come in with a fever, producing a much higher yield than normal. Fruit from this tree, also known as the “elephant tree” and the “fertility tree”  is said to have aphrodisiac properties, and is a favorite among the gentlest giant of the African big five, as elephants have a special weakness for the ripe fruit. It is then delivered to processing plants where everything, including the fruit pulp, pips, kernels and kernel oil are extracted from the fruit. They are mainly found in the Miombo woodlands in southern regions of Africa and also in the Sudano-Sahelian range in West Africa. Impala, kudu, nyala, baboons, warthogs and other creatures also feed on this delicious treat. Distilled from the fermented fruit of the Marula tree, a native of the African plains. The fruits are also rich in oleic acids and antioxidants. Is Nutrient-Rich and Anti-Aging. A group of panellists best described the aroma of Marula to be like that of grapefruit and there are compounds that the two fruits have in common. The smell of marula juice has also been liken to pineapple but this is probably also only in part due to complimentary volatile components such as ethyl acetate, benzaldehyde, linalool. There’s no wonder the fruit is so revered by the animal kingdom. Just wondering if it has an expiry date? The hand-picked marula fruit is fermented, double distilled (first in column still and then in copper pots) and matured for two years in French oak before being blended with the finest fresh cream. Marula fruit has the ability to support healthy skin since it provides … A great fruit cream liqueur to enjoy over ice after a meal, or ask your bartender for … The marula fruit has many uses and people keep on experimenting with this one-of-a-kind fruit. Unlike many other cream liqueurs, Amarula is not made from a whisky or brandy base. The total soluble solids of Marula fruit pulp varies between 7.5¡Brix and 15.5¡Brix. The Other Dallas Street Name That Needs to Change, Hot Property: A Freshly Built Four-Bedroom in Little Forest Hills, Where to Eat, Stay, and Drink Along the North Texas Distillery Trail, News Bites: Hot Udon Noodles and Coffee Chains Coming to Dallas, ‘High Glam, Low Maintenance’ Is the 2021 Mantra We All Need. After barrel aging the spirit is blended will whole milk cream and Amarula Cream is born, with a subtle 17% alcohol level. The vitamin C content of the Marula fruits is eight times higher than that in an orange. Amarula Cream tastes like fruit. So, what does the marula fruit taste like? And apparently baboons prefer the fresh fruit to the fermented ones, meaning that there is a good chance the animals were made to look drunk by using some sort of tranquiliser, which would today be classed as animal cruelty. Marula Oil made from the seed kernel, can be used as a type of skin care oil and is a delicious additive to meals in Africa. Unlike many cream liqueurs this starts with a wine base, making the overall flavor and finish subtle and elegant with out a whisky bite on the end. A tasty cocktail created with AMARULA Cream. Harvest and processing occurs in Limpopo where the fruit is gathered, washed then pressed and processed removing the inner stone of seeds and leaving the pulp, which is then transported to Stellenbosch where the fermentation and distillation occurs. Cooking This fruit is known to improve nutrition; the seed kernels are especially high in protein and fat and have a somewhat nutty flavour. They either get it directly from the ground, or thanks to the pachyderms that shake the trees to reach their prize. However, the similarity in taste between grapefruit and marula is probably because of a dominant bitter taste caused by non volatiles. Our average value for the 2003 fruit season was 12.1¡Brix. It has the taste of slightly fruity caramel. Climate has a large influence on the soluble solids content of Marula and Marula Natural Products concentrates its fruit pulp activities towards then end of the fruit season to bring you the best quality juice. Earning just 22 Rand/$3  (the pre-established rate for this year made with the village heads) for a 50 kilogram bag, these women will likely fill 250-300 bags of marula fruit during harvest. It is a juicy fruit and I could taste the flavour synonymous with Amarula Cream Liquor even though it was subtle. Women of the local villages around Limpopo are readying themselves for day that lies ahead. What does marula fruit taste like? Unlike many other cream liqueurs, Amarula is not made from a whisky or brandy base. This is because it is made from the Amarula fruit, which grows on the great savannas of Southern Africa. It is made with sugar, cream, and the Amarula tree fruit. There’s nothing quite like it in the world. A group of panellists best described the aroma of Marula to be like that of grapefruit and there are compounds that the two fruits have in common. The Marula Tree. Add in an amazing story of the fruit and the tie with the land, and it is the perfect pre or post-dinner spirit. “The outer surface is tough and kind of difficult to peel off, it tasted a bit sour with a touch of sweetness. The Marula fruit is distilled to produce a fruit spirit base. Copyright © 2021, D Magazine Partners, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Once they’ve hand harvested the fruit (seriously! It has a sweet, creamy fruit taste and goes down easily either chilled or room temperature as a wonderful dessert/after dinner drink. When it is fully ripen, the marula fruit is somewhat bitter, but also with a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste. Citric acid is the most abundant acid excluding ascorbic acid but malic and tartaric acid have also been noted by scientists. A sweet tang to it, it covers your palate nicely and gives off a slow release of Marula that lasts. It is slightly sweet, but mellow and has a bit of a fruity taste to it. If you're into sweet creamy liqueurs this is definitely for you!… Marula juice trumps orange juice … I quite like it. Then they ferment it, distill it and age it for two years in French oak casks. Once processing starts the fruit is on a time crunch, as no stabilizers are used on the fruit; it is transported in this pure fruit pulp form  which has been cooled and sent in temperature controlled trucks going back and forth from Limopopo to Stellenbosch, about a days drive away. The taste they have is a strong tart one, and this is a clear indicator that they contain vitamin C. Wait, let’s have that corrected: they don’t just contain vitamin C — they are phenomenal sources of vitamin C! The spirit is aged for three years, then blended with cream. It's more of a fruity liqueur - like a … Secondly, is amarula a wine or whiskey? This would equal about $900 in the US, but it is enough to sustain them. Going back to marula fruits, they are succulent fruits that turn from green to yellow as they ripen. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The Marula fruit is distilled to produce a fruit spirit base. The mineral composition of the fruit shows high concentrations of Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. Get pre-purchased crushed … Marula Fruit Nutritional Facts. Amarula is, essentially, a fruity Bailey's which sounds rather nasty but is actually extremely lovely. On the nose, a very light aroma of the exotic Marula fruit makes its way through, with the taste almost bursting as it hits your palate. Indeed the vitamin C content is important to local communities who know well that it prevents scurvy. Heinrich says: “The hint of spice found in the liqueur is combined perfectly with the subtle notes of vanilla and the unique exotic, natural Marula fruit for a rich and smooth taste.” It is made with sugar, cream, and the Amarula tree fruit. ... What does it taste like? But that does not change the fact that the marula tree is a revered plant in southern Africa. Place 2.5 oz (71 g) of crushed ice of crushed ice into a cocktail shaker. After which it is sent through a 2nd distillation in copper pots, originally used by producer Distell for cognac, now making a marula fruit spirit with about 70% alcohol. The fruit is harvested off of their communal land by members of the community. With an acidity level 4-6 times that of an orange the ripe marula aroma is almost like ripe pears and passion fruit, with flavors that are quite similar and very tangy. Stacy L. • il y a 5 ans . Amarula was first marketed by Southern Liqueur Company of South Africa (the current trademark owners and wholly owned subsidiary of Distell Group Limited) as a liqueur in September 1989, the Amarula spirit having been launched in 1983. In September 1989, Amarula changed to a cream liqueur. Supports for healthy skin. The Marula fruit is a good source of income for struggling rural communities, beyond the beer. The Marula bears small round shaped fruit; (green in colour when unripe) that ripens to a yellow colour and can be harvested by being collected from the ground from January to March. It looks nearly identical and has a very familiar taste of caramel, chocolate, and cream… but keep drinking and it reveals a twist or two. Containing 17% alcohol by volume, it packs quite a boozy punch. It's not unlike a pear, if said pear spent several hours grinding on a guava. Of the wide range of nutrients in the Marula pulp the Vitamin C content has attracted the most attention. The fruit has small amounts of other vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin and nicotinic acid. Many with do this several times during harvest. Even when ripe they are quite tart, with a rich, velvety nutty taste. It has on average 3 - 4 times the Vitamin C of Orange with up to 194mg per 100g. The fruits of this tipsy-making tree have long been enjoyed by elephants in the African veld, and the alcoholic cream beverage has since inception been enjoyed the world over, … We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The texture is somewhat similar to that of a Litchi and the overall taste is more like that of sour grapes.” Over the next few weeks these women, many with babies strapped to their backs, will pile hundreds and hundreds of pounds of marula fruit into baskets to be sold at the Amarula Lapa in Limpopo. Nutty taste copyright © 2021, D Magazine Partners, Inc. All Rights Reserved even when ripe they succulent... 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