acai is a slender palm tree which can grow up to 20 meters, it grows only in South America, in the tropics, mostly swamp. The Açai berries grow in clusters at the base of the palms, they are dark red to purple, and are 1 to 2 cm in diameter. The volume of the seed is about 80% of the fruit. The pulp contains an exceptional proportion of vegetable fats (about 55%). The Açai berry…
Euterpe oleraceae is a slender palm tree which can grow up to 20 meters, it grows only in South America, in the tropics, mostly swamp. The Açai berries grow in clusters at the base of the palms, they are dark red to purple, and are 1 to 2 cm in diameter. The pulp contains an exceptional proportion of vegetable fats (about 55%). Based on the ORAC method tests show that…
Acerola is a shrub that grows in South America and the Caribbean tropics. The fruit, also called Barbados cherry for its resemblance to the cherry, is edible and sour, it is considered a "superfruit" as it is one of the richest fruit in vitamin C with the Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dubia).
Aloe vera is an aloe specy grown since ancient times in the Mediterranean region and North Africa. Aloe vera has been adopted in the traditional medicines of many hot regions of the world, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa first, then India, China and Asia mainly after Xth century. Aloe vera is a succulent plant (it stores water in its leaves) that grows on arid soils in colonies…
Carapa guianensis is a tree up to 30m tall that grows in the tropical forests of South America and Africa. By cold pressing of the seed is obtained a thick, rich oil with deep creamy color.
Sea Buckthorn is a thorny shrub, native to Europe and the mountainous regions of Eurasia. In Asia, sea buckthorn is widely found in China, it is also in the regions of the Himalayas, in Russia and Mongolia. It is cultivated for its fruit and to prevent soil erosion. Its fruit has an acid and astringent flavor, it is edible and consumed in jam, compote or sorbet. By…
Platonia insignis is a large tree native of the Amazon forest and grown in tropical areas of northern South America for its fruit consumed as beverages, condiments, etc... By cold pressing of the kernel is obtained a dark emollient brown butter.
Mauritia flexuosa is a palm tree that grows in swamp areas of Nothern South America. It produces edible fuits, its fiber, and leaves are also used to cover houses and to make hats, and other handcrafts. By cold pressing of the fruit pulp is obtained a rich reddish oil.
Arabica coffee is native to East Africa (Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya). It is best grown in altitude (200-2000), and is nowadays widespread in the tropics, particularly in Central America and South America. By cold pressing of the seeds is obtained a dark greenish oil.
camu-camu is a shrub native of the Peruvian rainforest, of the same family as guava. The fruit is edible and commonly used in Peruvian cuisine. It is 2 to 4 cm in diameter, has an orange-red color and a sour taste, it is considered a "superfruit" as it is one of the richest in vitamin C fruit with Acerola (Malpighia emarginata, Malpighia glabra).
Chia is an annual herb seeds native of Mexico, that served as a staple food after maize and beans to the Aztecs and Maya peoples in pre-Columbian era. Grouped by four , the seeds are small, smooth, elongated, shiny, mottled of white and gray. By cold pressing of the seeds is obtained
Commercial cultivation of these seeds has grown in many tropical regions of South America, to the high…
Copaifera officinalis is a tree that grows in the tropical forests of South America. After incision of the trunk extractivists communities periodically collect the sap or oleoresin flowing, ranging in color from light yellow to brown, depending on its composition (ratio resin - essential oil). It is possible to harvest one to two liters every two days.
Theobroma Grandiflorum is a small tree, "cousin" of the Cocoa tree, native of southern and south-eastern Brazilian Amazon, particularly the states of Para and Maranhao, where it is widely cultivated. The Cupuaçu fruit grows on the trunk, as it is the case with Cocoa, it is a big oblong brown pod from two to four pounds. Under a thick pericarp, pod contains fifty beans…
this is a whitish substance with a pearly sheen, gelatinous consistency and an acid and sweet flavor. It is produced by the 5 to 15 days old worker bees and is the queen bee only food during her entire lifetime. Royal jelly helps the queen bee to grow 50% bigger than the worker bees, to lay up to 2000 eggs a day and live up to 5 years, when the worker bees only receive royal jelly during their…
Uncaria tomentosa, called "Peruvian liane", is a vine native of the Amazonia. It is called in Spanish "Uña de gato" (cat's claw) because of small stipules claw at the base of its leaves. The plant grows on trees 20 to 40 feet high. It is a medicinal herb : bark, leaves and roots are traditionally used to treat different diseases.
Guarana is a shrub native of the Brazilian Amazonia. Guarana is now grown in the states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Bahia. The seed contains a high concentration of caffeine that makes Guarana the known plant containing the highest levels of caffeine in the world. Traditionally the seed is consumed by tribes of Amazonian Indians for its stimulant properties, as a powder diluted in water, the…
Pouteria lucuma is a tree native to the Peruvian Andes. Lucuma is popular in desserts, particularly in the form of ice or cake.
Maca is a plant with a taproot that is cultivated as a food and for its therapeutic properties since the Neolithic in the High Andes of Peru from 3500 to 4,200 meters (remnants of maca have been identified in a prehistoric cave and its culture was confirmed by several chronics during the Spanish conquest).
Maca is one of very few plants that can survive in extreme climatic conditions…
Passiflora edulis is a vine species of passion flower (Passifloraceae) that is native to Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. It is cultivated all around the world in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seedy fruits. By cold pressing of the seeds is obtained a light oil with golden-green color remebering the Passion Fruit, with very pleasant taste and odor.
mate or yerba mate is a South American native species whose leaves, which are roasted and pulverized, provide, infused in hot water, a stimulating drink, similar to the coffee or tea effects. The Jesuits developed its culture in the seventeenth century and spread to neighboring countries : Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina and the southern provinces of Brazil. Mate word used in…
Acacia, Calluna, Chestnut, Eucalyptus, Heather, Lavender, Mountain, Oak, Rosemary, Thyme, etc...
Moringa oleifera is a tree native to India, grown in tropical regions of Asia and Africa. The highly nutritious leaves are used in cooking and in medicine traditional.