DE 
EN 
The process of turning whole dried kola nuts into broken/cut pieces and then into powder should not be underestimated.
Crushing kola nuts (caution: they are rock-hard) presents a real challenge. Cutting and grating them is highly dangerous, and it is always better to buy the appropriate size (whole, split, ground) directly rather than attempting to do it yourself. There are industrial methods of crushing, but these usually require large quantities, often in the range of tons. Here are two methods to obtain pieces from whole, dried kola nuts:
Mortar method: Place a few kola nuts in a large stone mortar and crush them coarsely. Since the nuts can easily jump out, cover the mortar with a cloth. Note that ceramic mortars can be damaged.
Hammer method: Wrap the kola nuts in a clean kitchen towel and twist it until the nuts are securely held. Hold the towel by the end and smash the wrapped nuts with a clean hammer. Use a sturdy surface, as tiles, countertops, and wooden surfaces can be damaged.
Important notes:
- Do not use knives or graters, as the risk of injury is very high. A grater is more yielding, and a knife is more flexible than dried kola nuts.
- Electric kitchen appliances are not suitable for the hardness of kola nuts and will be damaged.
As far as we are aware, there is no kitchen appliance that can handle this task. - Industrial crushing is done using hammer or impact mills, which are not available for household use.
Manually producing kola nut powder requires a lot of patience and skill. A powerful food processor might be able to grind the pieces into powder, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Recommendation:
It is advisable to buy the nuts in the desired size (whole, split, ground) directly.
Traditional Chewing:
This is only possible and advisable with fresh kola nuts.
Whole dried kola nuts are suitable only for breaking teeth and causing frustration. With young, strong teeth, one could theoretically chew on them after soaking them in the mouth for a few minutes. However, this is not pleasant.