So, picture this: I’m minding my business, thinking about food (as always), when I suddenly realize—we only ever talk about marula as an alcoholic drink. And while I love a good celebration, my inner culinary nerd couldn’t help but wonder… what else can this fruit do?
Thus, the Marula Cooking Project was born! A completely unplanned, “let’s wing it and see where this goes” kind of adventure.
And of course, like the true content creator that I am, I documented every step on my TikTok (@NeliswaDaily) and kept my X (formerly Twitter) followers (@NeliswaDaily) entertained with my discoveries, frustrations, and triumphs.
The Journey Begins: Finding the Forbidden Fruit (Literally)
Now, getting my hands on marula fruit turned out to be a mission and a half. It’s nowhere to be found in grocery stores—seriously, why are we gatekeeping marula like it’s a VIP club? After a desperate search (and a few “send location” posts), a dear friend came through with a whole 10 liters of fresh marula. Game on!
The “Not-So-Glamorous” Cleaning Process
Here’s something no one tells you: marula has a stench. Like, a serious, “am I sure I want to do this?” kind of smell. But I wasn’t about to give up before I even started! My cleaning routine?
- Water, lots of it
- Bicarbonate of soda (because I’m not about to cook with questionable impurities)
- A splash of vinegar (because why not?)
Once the fruit was fresh and clean, I did what any self-respecting chef would do—I tasted it. And wow, nostalgia hit me like a brick! Suddenly, I was a kid again, sneaking marula fruit off the trees. But this time, instead of just eating it raw, I had big plans.
The Creations: When Marula Meets the Chef Life
1. Marula & Cinnamon Compote: The Starter Pack
This was the low-hanging fruit (pun absolutely intended). I cooked the marula down with cinnamon, and boom—a delicious compote perfect for:
- Breakfast bowls
- Smoothies
- Pastries
It’s like your morning oats got a VIP upgrade.
2. Marula Cheesecake: My Masterpiece
Now, this? This was the game-changer. I went all in—marula juice, marula pulp, even the skin (because waste not, want not). The result? A velvety, tangy, slightly tropical cheesecake that had everyone at my Cooking Experience event fighting for the last bite.
Pro tip: Pair it with the marula & cinnamon compote and thank me later.
3. Marula Syrup: Because Everything’s Better with a Drizzle
I slow-simmered the fruit and skin until I had a thick, golden syrup packed with marula goodness. Now, this baby can be used for:
- Teas & juices
- Cocktails & mocktails
- Drizzling over pancakes, waffles & desserts
But wait—here’s where my mind was blown: marula has 5X more Vitamin C than oranges! Not only does it taste amazing, but it also supports collagen production and skin health. So, basically, eating marula is a beauty hack now. Who needs expensive serums when you have marula syrup?
The Big Reveal: When the People Got to Taste the Magic
At my first-ever Cooking Experience event, I officially unveiled the Marula Cheesecake—and let’s just say, the response was wild. People loved it so much that I even sold a few limited units (because, unfortunately, I am not a marula farm).
Nutritional Benefits of Marula (Because We’re Fancy Like That)
Besides making taste buds happy, marula is basically a superfruit:
- 5X More Vitamin C Than Oranges – Your immune system (and your skin) will thank you.
- Collagen Production Booster – Say hello to youthful, glowing skin.
- High in Antioxidants – Keeps you healthy while you enjoy your desserts. Win- win!
- Natural Energy Source – No need for energy drinks when you’ve got marula magic.
- Supports Digestion – High in fiber, which is always a plus.
What’s Next? The Future of Marula Innovation
Now that I know marula is more than just a party drink, I’m on a mission to explore ways to preserve and expand its use.
I want to see this fruit celebrated beyond the Buganu Festival—not just in bars, but in kitchens, on dinner tables, and even in kids’ lunchboxes. Why should adults have all the fun?
The research, the recipes, and the marula madness will continue—so keep an eye on my TikTok (@NeliswaDaily) and X (@NeliswaDaily) for more behind-the-scenes fun.
This is only the beginning, and trust me—it’s about to get even more exciting.