Capturing the distinct flavour of the fruit from the legendary Marula tree in a full-bodied, smooth cream liqueur – and combined with the brand’s irresistible mystique – Amarula is proving time and again that it is truly the cream out of Africa.

Distinctive, exciting, and sophisticated. On any occasion, at any time.

DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE LEGENDARY MARULA

On the wide open plains of Africa grows a tree uncultivated by man. Its scientific name is "Sclerocarya birrea", but it’s more commonly known as the Marula tree.

The Marula tree grows mainly in the warm, frost-free regions of subequatorial Africa, and, with minimal rainfall, normally brings forth an abundant crop. Found at medium-low altitudes, in open woodlands and bush, this average-sized tree can be up to 10 metres tall, but under favourable conditions it can grow as high as 15 metres.

THE ELEPHANT TREE

During February, at the height of the African summer, the olive green fruit of the Marula tree ripens to a golden yellow and its intense tropical fragrance floats on the warm summer breeze, luring various species of wild animals from miles around. In particular, herds of trumpeting elephant walk for days to gorge themselves on the fruit; and for this reason, the Marula tree has come to be known as "The Elephant Tree".

THE FRUIT OF THE MARULA

Only the female tree bears fruit – succulent, tart, with an exotic flavour – containing four times as much vitamin C as an average orange. It is oblong in shape and the size of a medium plum. The ripe marula is light yellow in colour and composed of a leathery skin enclosing white fibrous flesh and a large stone. The stone contains two or three kernels which are rich in oil and protein. In a good season, a single tree can bear as much as two tons of fruit. But nature is unpredictable and yield can vary from season to season.

LOCAL LEGENDS AND USES

The Marula tree is one of the most valued indigenous trees in Africa, with a variety of uses differing from tribe to tribe.

Held to be a strong aphrodisiac, the Marula tree features prominently in many tribal fertility rites. So much so, that in ancient folklore it was known as "The Marriage Tree", and even today many rural people still conduct wedding ceremonies under its fertile branches.

Expectant mothers of the Venda people in Southern Africa eat the ground bark to determine the sex of their babies – the bark of a tree with male flowers ensures a boy, while the female tree means a girl for the family. And a mixture containing the juicy inner bark of the Marula tree is often used in the treatment of stomach complaints. The Zulu people believe that a person suffering from measles had to wake up before dawn and, without saying a word, walk to a Marula tree and bite its bark, after which the illness would disappear.

But by far the greatest number of uses lie in the fruit itself. Local children love ice-cold Marulas for their excellent thirst-quenching properties, while adults use them to make a home-brewed drink. More recently, the fruit has been used to make jams, jellies and wines, and as the centre-piece for exotic dishes.

The stone of the Marula fruit is hard, but once it has been split successfully, the rewards are great. Its kernel is of significant nutritional value, and most tribes regard it as a delicacy. The oil it contains is used by local tribes for cosmetic purposes, and as nose and eardrops; and because the oil content is high, the nut can be set alight and used as a candle.

The stones also hold significant spiritual value, as they are used by sangomas as an essential element in bone-throwing ceremonies.

NATURAL WILD FRUIT CREAM LIQUEUR

From this mystical tree, of the soil and the sun of Africa, Amarula Cream is born. Once the ripe fruit of the marula has been gathered, the kernels are removed in a destoner and the flesh crushed from the skin. The marula flesh is then fermented under conditions similar to winemaking. After fermentation, the marula wine is distilled in copper pot-stills. The young liqueur is then matured in small casks of oak for approximately two years and enriched with pure marula extract – obtained through a special process which captures the unique flavours of the marula in a concentrated form.

The final step in the creation of Amarula Cream is the blending of the liqueur with the finest, fresh cream until a smooth consistency is formed. The creaming process is of the highest standard, resulting in a cream product which is completely stable, rich and soft.

The final product has an alcohol content of 17% alcohol by volume.

The Legendary Marula
The Elephant Tree
The Marula Fruit
Legends and Uses
Amarula Cream