Many Good Things come from the fruit of the néré tree, and earlier this week I had a taste of one. In the village of N’korobougou, around 9am, children pranced and flopped about, munching on bright yellow balls nearly the size of their heads.

I needed an explanation, and a bite. Turns out the balls were made from the sandy, bright yellow pulp of néré tree pods.

The pulp is extracted, sifted, cooked with water and salt, and packed into tight balls that keep for days and days.

A bit like a savory rice crispy treat, made of cornflakes. Excellent, really excellent. A sticks-to-the-ribs sort of breakfast, apparently also good for warding off malaria and bacterial infections.

I suggested a touch of honey, but I was not taken seriously by the powers cooks-that-be.