Table of content A-Z
cassia
Synonyms: golden shower tree, Indian laburnum
botanical name: Cassia fistula
Cassia is native to Southern Asia, where it is still grown today, in addition to being cultivated in Africa, India and America. The tree on which the cassias grow is found everywhere in the tropics as an ornamental shrub. Because of its long, yellow racemes it is also known as Indian laburnum.
Availability
Cassia fruits are available all year, also in health food shops.
Appearance, taste, characteristics
Cassia is related to carob. It consists of a tubular, black, 30- to 60-cm-long and 2- to 3-cm-wide fruit pod. Within, the pod is divided into many compartments, each of which contains a flat yellow-ochre seed surrounded by sticky brown pulp. The pulp tastes very sweet.
Quality criteria, optimal storage conditions
If the fruits are stored dry they will keep for months.
Form of consumption, use, processing, practical tips for preparation
In contrast to carob, the cassia pods are not edible.
They are broken open, then the round partitions are removed and the pulp is
licked off. The seeds of the fruit are inedible.
Cassia is a popular snack for children in the countries where it originates.
Gentle laxatives and chewing tobacco are manufactured from the pulp.
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