The kola nut is the seed of trees from the Cola genus, primarily Cola nitida and Cola acuminata. It is widely grown in West Africa, especially in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. The nut is known for its caffeine content, making it a natural stimulant and an important cultural, medicinal, and economic product. Their caffeine-containing seeds are used as flavoring ingredients in various carbonated soft drinks, from which the name cola originates.