Spekboom is nutritious, water-wise and edible

Spekboom. Courtesy Alba du Toit. Spekboom is nutritious, water‑wise and edible – so why aren’t more South Africans eating it? Published: September 16, 2026 9:29am EDT https://theconversation.com/spekboom-is-nutritious-water-wise-and-edible-so-why-arent-more-south-africans-eating-it-288128 https://theconversation.com/spekboom-is-nutritious-water-wise-and-edible-so-why-arent-more-south-africans-eating-it-288128 Link copied Share article Share article

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Spekboom ( Portulacaria afra ) is an easy-to-grow succulent shrub, small tree, or hedge.

In the wild, it grows naturally to up to five metres tall on steep slopes and rocky hillsides in the Karoo and Eastern Cape regions of South Africa, where it helps to stabilise soil and prevent erosion. It’s also a champion of carbon sequestration – removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Because its fleshy green leaves store an exceptionally high average moisture content of over 93%, spekboom is also a natural water source for both people and wildlife in arid regions.

But what about eating spekboom for dinner?