Candlenut

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Name Variations

 * candle nut
 * kemiri
 * country walnut
 * buah keras

About Candlenut
Wikipedia Article About Candlenut on Wikipedia

The Candlenut (Aleurites moluccana), is a tree in the family Euphorbiaceae, also known as Candleberry, Indian walnut, Kemiri, Varnish tree or Kuku'i nut tree.

Its native range is impossible to establish precisely because of early spread by man, and the tree is now widely distributed in the New and Old World tropics. It grows to a height of 15-25 m, with wide spreading or pendulous branches. The leaves are pale green, simple and ovate, or trilobed or rarely 5-lobed, with an acute apex, 10-20 cm long. The nut is round, 4-6 cm in diameter; the seed inside has a very hard seed coat and a high oil content. A round, cream-colored nut with an oily consistency used to add texture and a faint flavor to many dishes. Substitute macadamia nuts or raw cashews.