Did you know that kola nuts contain stronger stimulants than coffee and tea? Originating from West Africa and popular for its diverse range of health benefits, the kola nut has long been chewed as a snack and adopted for various functions amongst West Africans. Watch our new video as we spotlight the versatile fruit with a long scientific history. Check out our YouTube page for more fascinating videos! | Science Museum

Long before the world’s favorite soda, the kola nut native to West Africa was a symbol of hospitality, energy, and community. Enslaved Africans were forced to cultivate kola, and European traders later monetized it using its caffeine and bitter flavor to inspire early cola drinks. What began as an African tradition has now become a multi-billion-dollar global beverage industry, built on the legacy of the kola nut and the people who first nurtured it. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more cont