Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) is a plant native to the Amazon rainforest in Peru. It is characterized by its star-shaped green leaves, towering height (it can often reach two meters or higher), white flowers, and edible seeds. These seeds, which look like brown nuts and are also called sacha peanuts, Inca peanuts, or mountain peanuts, have been cultivated by Peru’s indigenous population for centuries, although they are just as likely to be used in oil…
The kakadu plum, also called the gubinge, the billygoat plum, or the murunga, is a flowering plant native to Arnhem Land in northern Australia. Despite their name, the fruits of the kakadu plum plant – simply called kakadu plums – are more closely related to the almond than the plum, and they are unusual for fruits insofar as they remain on the plant after ripening. Australian Aborigines have treasured the plums for thousands of years due to…
Camu camu, also called cacari and camocamo, is a small tree that grows alongside rivers in the western and central Amazon basin in South America. It bears purple, cherry-sized berries which, due to their extreme acidity, are typically sweetened into jams, jellies, and juices, rather than eaten raw. The berries have been utilized for medicinal purposes by Amazonian Indians for centuries, and were often made into hair tonics. Although they are not well-known fruits in…
The shiitake, also called the black forest mushroom and the oakwood mushroom in English-speaking countries, is an edible brown mushroom that is native to Japan, China, and Korea. It has been cultivated for over a thousand years, and fresh and dried shiitake remain popular in East Asia today. Like maitake, which bear a similar nutritional profile, shiitake is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine due to its alleged healing properties. Though less popular in the…
The maitake, also known in English-speaking countries as the hen-of-the-woods, is a large, earthy-brown mushroom that grows at the base of trees, especially oaks. It is native to northeastern Japan and certain parts of North America, and – along with shiitake – is one of Japan’s major culinary mushrooms. It is equally popular in China, where it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to its alleged healing properties. The maitake is one…
