Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha Inchi)
Botanical name: Plukenetia volubilis
Common names: Sacha Inchi, Sacha Peanut, Mountain Peanut, Inca-Peanut
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin: Amazon Rainforest
Plukenetia volubilis, commonly known as sacha inchi, sacha peanut, mountain peanut, Inca nut or Inca-peanut, is a perennial plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, having small trichomes on its leaves. It is native to much of tropical South America, as well as some of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean. The roasted seeds can be consumed as nuts, and roasted leaves chewed or made into a tea. Sacha inchi oil has a mild flavour with a nutty finish and may be appropriate for a variety of cuisines. In Peru during 2009, the humanitarian group Oxfam supported techniques for growing sacha inchi as a cash crop by indigenous groups like the Ashaninka.
he male flowers are small, white, and arranged in clusters. Two female flowers are located at the base of the inflorescence.
Sacha Inchi oil production is gaining international recognition for its taste and health properties. Raw seeds are inedible.
