Dika

Dika, also known as bush mango or African mango, refers to the fruit of certain trees in the Irvingia family, particularly Irvingia gabonensis. These trees are native to West and Central Africa. The fruit itself is typically oval or round and has a yellow or green skin. Inside, it contains a fibrous pulp surrounding a hard, woody seed.

The edible portion is the fleshy pulp, which can be eaten fresh, dried, or processed into jams and juices. The seed is also highly valued. It is often dried and ground into a powder, which serves as a thickening agent for sauces and stews, and is a staple in many West African cuisines. The seed can also be pressed to extract oil, used for cooking or as a cosmetic ingredient.

Dika has a long history of use in its native regions for both food and medicinal purposes. Traditional practices utilize various parts of the plant to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin conditions. In recent years, there has been growing interest in dika, particularly its seeds, for their potential nutritional and health benefits, including their fiber content and effects on weight management and cholesterol levels. Research into these properties is ongoing.