Trying to come up with nuts that begin with the letter K is harder than you might think. Beyond the more familiar ones like kola nut or kukui nut, there aren’t many that easily come to mind. In fact, K is one of those rare letters where the list is surprisingly short.
Still, we managed to track down a handful of interesting examples. While it may not be a long list, these few K-nuts are unique in their own right and worth knowing about.
1. Kola Nut
Kola nuts grow on tall trees in the tropical rainforests of Africa and have been valued for centuries. They are best known for their caffeine, once a key ingredient in cola drinks. In West African culture, kola nuts play a central role in ceremonies and social gatherings, often shared as a gesture of hospitality. Beyond tradition, they’re also believed to aid digestion, improve circulation, and provide an energy boost much like coffee.
2. Kukui Nut
The kukui nut, also called the candlenut, is deeply tied to Hawaiian culture. Polynesian voyagers brought the tree with them across the ocean because of its many uses. The oil-rich nuts once provided light, ground into paste for torches or lamps. They can also be roasted and eaten, though raw they are toxic. Today, kukui nuts are still honored in Hawaii, not only for their practical value but also for their cultural symbolism.
3. Kenari Nut
Kenari nuts come from Indonesia and are sometimes compared to almonds in shape, though their flavor is quite different. When eaten raw, they taste mild, almost like sunflower seeds. After roasting, their flavor deepens into something buttery and rich, similar to cashews or macadamias. Kenari nuts are often used in local cooking, ground into sauces, or simply enjoyed as a roasted snack, making them a versatile part of the Indonesian food tradition.
4. Karuka Nut
The karuka nut is an important food in the highlands of New Guinea, where entire families will camp near trees during harvest season. Found inside large round fruits packed with hundreds of small segments, these nuts are a rich and filling food. In fact, they are considered even more nutritious than coconuts. The karuka tree itself is unusual, with separate male and female plants, but it remains a vital staple for local communities.
5. Kurrajong Nut
Kurrajong nuts come from Australian trees that have long been a part of Indigenous bush foods. The nuts are hidden inside hard, colorful pods and can be roasted or ground into flour for baking. When eaten raw, they have a taste similar to peanuts, though the bitter outer coating is usually removed first. Beyond food, the kurrajong tree is also valued for its strong bark, which has been used in weaving and traditional crafts.