The charoli seed is around 0.6 centimetres (0.24 inches) in length, with a flavor resembling an almond or a pistachio. After the hard shell of the drupe is cracked, the stubby seed within is similar in texture to a pine nut. Though sometimes referred to as the 'chironji nut' or 'charoli nut', the fruit is actually a type of drupe rather than a true botanical nut. It grows primarily in the wet tropical and tropical rainforest biomes. The charoli tree is native to Bangladesh, Cambodia, China (south-central and Hainan), India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Western Himalayas. The species was most recently reclassified as Buchanania cochinchinensis in 1996. Initially placed in genus Toluifera, the species was later included in multiple other genera, including Glycosmis, Lanzana, Loureira, Lundia, Mangifera, and Spondias. The species was first described as Toluifera cochinchinensis in 1790 by João de Loureiro, a Portuguese Jesuit missionary and botanist. cochinchinensis is one of 25 currently accepted species in genus Buchanania. Genus Buchanania is named for Francis Buchanan (1762–1829), a Scottish botanist, explorer, naturalist, and surgeon in the British East India Company. Flowering occurs March–April, and the fruit is generally harvested in the months of April to June. When ripe, they are stone hard and reddish-purple in color. The drupes are 0.4–1 centimetre (0.16–0.39 inches) in diameter and subglobose (inflated, but not quite spherical) in shape. The flowers are white and 0.3–0.4 centimetres (0.12–0.16 inches) in diameter.

The leaves are 10–20 by 6–9 centimetres (3.9–7.9 by 2.4–3.5 inches), broadly oblong with emarginate (slightly indented at the tip) apices and rounded bases. Young branches are covered with dense, matted, woolly hairs. The tree grows to about 20 metres (66 feet).

Charoli seeds are also used in the Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems of medicine. The seeds are used as a cooking spice, especially in India. The charoli tree produces fruit that is edible to humans. The charoli tree is native to the Indian subcontinent, South Central China, and much of Southeast Asia.

Glycosmis cochinchinensis ( Lour.) Pierre ex Engl.īuchanania cochinchinensis, commonly known as charoli nut, almondette, Cuddapah almond, calumpong, Hamilton mombin, is a deciduous tree of the cashew family.

Loureira cochinchinensis ( Lour.) Meisn.

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