Its hard fruit pods have an edible dry pulp surrounding the seeds.

The pulp, in spite of its somewhat disagreeable odor, has a sweet taste; is consumed raw; may be dried and transformed into powder to be incorporated into cookies, crackers, and soups; and may be mixed with water to prepare a drink called "atole".

The pulp inside the hard shells appears like miniature soluble fibers that dissolve easily in water or milk, which it thickens.

It is one of the richest vegetable foods known because of its high concentrations of starches and proteins.

The tree produces an orange, soft, sticky resin or gum, called "animé" (French for "animated", in reference to its insect-infested natural state).

It features a tan to salmon color with black accent stripes that over time turn to a deep and vibrant red.