The mystical Marula or Elephant Tree (Sclerocarya birrea) is indigenous to sub-equatorial Africa. It bears a smallish oval fruit with its flesh packed around a large, very hard kernel. From mid-January to mid-March the marula fruit ripens, giving the fruit its distinctive flavour and rich yellow colour. Of this mythical and sought after tree, Amarula Cream is born. The ripe fruit is gathered and the flesh removed from the skin. As the marulas ripen the local inhabitants harvest them from the veld and deliver them to the marula plant or to central pick-up points. |