Dypteryx odorata

Dipteryx odorata is a large evergreen tree with a small, rounded canopy of a treecrown, generally growing up to 30 metres tall but with some specimens up to 50 metres. The straight, cylindrical the trunk of a treebole is unOutgrowth at the base of a tree trunkbuttressed; it can be unbranched for 18 - 24 metres and is usually 45 - 75cm in diameter, though diameters up to 100cm have been found.

The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The seed of Dipteryx odorata is rich in coumarin compounds and it is often harvested from the wild and also sometimes cultivated in parts of the tropics, especially S. America, for these compounds.

A coumarin-like flavoring can be extracted from the seed through a process of fermentation. It has been used commercially as a vanilla substitute in flavouring a wide range of foods including baked goods, ice cream, cocoa etc. Its use is banned in some countries because of the possibility that coumarins can cause health problems - see notes above on toxicity. The seed pods are 5 - 6cm long and about 3cm in diameter.

The pulp inside the seedpod is eaten raw. A sweet flavor. The brown, resembling an eggovoid pods are oily to the touch when fresh. They emit an aromatic and agreeable odor.

Seed can be eaten after boiling to get rid of toxins. The seed emits an aromatic and agreeable aroma

If you like Dypteryx odorata, you might also like Elaeocarpus bancroftii "Kuranda nut" or Duguetia phaeoclados