 Those who eat it do not consider the odor unpleasant.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.