Empirical study and preference on cola garcinia (bitter kola) with cola malvaceae (kola-nuts) consumption in Nigeria

A field survey involving (93) kola consumers who were randomly selected in Ijegun community of Ikotun axis of Lagos State was conducted to examine reasons why kola consumers prefer consumption of kola Garcinia (Bitter kola) to other types of kola-nuts in ceremonies. Data were collected with the use of structured interview schedule and data collected was analyzed using descriptive and frequency statistics. The results revealed that kola consumers in the study area preferred to consumed more of kola Garcinia than other types of kola-nuts with (63.4%) against (27.7%) and (8.6%) respectively. The kola consumers in the study area do have variety of preference and choice in aroma, flavor and taste in consuming kola of different types with Aroma are (47.3%), (41.9%) and (12.9%) for kola Garcinia, kola acuminate and kola natida. The respondents reasons for consuming kola-nuts shows that (73.1%), (20.4%), and (6.4%) are based on Medicinal purpose, Food and Decoy. Kola consumers were faced with constraints why they find it difficult to consume more of kola Garcinia such as scarcity, too expensive and distance barrier consequently affected their level of kola Garcinia consumption in ceremonies and in their locality. Constraint of finance and scarcity of kola Garcinia were the major factor which can be address through effective awareness on its cultivation and it medicinal health value to mankind.