PHENG PHOK

It is a small tree belonging to the same family as cocoa. The tree is always green and leafy growing to about 10 meters tall. The main stem is short but with many branches. The leave is large, 12.5-22.5 cm long and 7.5-12.5 cm wide. Both male and female flowers are reproduced on the same tree. They are pinkish, measuring about 1.2 cm across, and arranged in the form of a panicle at the end of branches. The fruits are in the form of pods, green when unripe, turning to dark red on ripening. They are covered with fine soft hairs, roughly oblong in shape measuring about 7.5-10 cm long and 5 cm wide. The fruit wall is quite thick and the inner wall is pinkish in color. On splitting, the seeds are visible and they are arranged alternately on the sides of the fruit. Each seed is 2.5-5 cm long and 1.2-2.5 cm wide. The black seeds are shiny and sticky. This tree is not common in Malaysia except in the state of Perak. The edible seeds can be boiled or roasted. They have a pleasant smell and taste and are consumed mainly by the Chinese. CHINA CHESTNUT It is a small tree belonging to the same family as cocoa. The tree is always green and leafy growing to about 10 meters tall. The main stem is short but with many branches. The leave is large, 12.5-22.5 cm long and 7.5-12.5 cm wide. Both male and female flowers are reproduced on the same tree. They are pinkish, measuring about 1.2 cm across, and arranged in the form of a panicle at the end of branches. The fruits are in the form of pods, green when unripe, turning to dark red on ripening. They are covered with fine soft hairs, roughly oblong in shape measuring about 7.5-10 cm long and 5 cm wide. The fruit wall is quite thick and the inner wall is pinkish in color. On splitting, the seeds are visible and they are arranged alternately on the sides of the fruit. Each seed is 2.5-5 cm long and 1.2-2.5 cm wide. The black seeds are shiny and sticky. This tree is not common in Malaysia except in the state of Perak. The edible seeds can be boiled or roasted. They have a pleasant smell and taste and are consumed mainly by the Chinese.