Lucuma has been included in the
10 Best Rated Fruits in the World list released by online travel food guide
TasteAtlas.
Also known as the "Gold of the Incas," Lucuma is one of the Peruvian super foods that arouses growing interest in the world, due to its notable nutritional properties and versatile use, mainly in gastronomy.
"Lucuma is a fruit native to the Andean region of South America, most notably valleys of Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It is characterized by a high nutritional value, as it is full of calcium, protein, iron, zinc, and beta-carotene," TasteAtlas said in its description of the fruit.
"Its flavor is best described as slightly sweet and similar to maple, making it an ideal ingredient for baked desserts and ice cream," it added.
According to the renowned platform for food lovers, "originally, lucuma was called gold of the Incas and was viewed as a symbol of fertility. Today, it can be found in most regional markets from January to April."
Description
The fruit, whose botanical name is Lucuma obovata, is a tree species belonging to the Sapotaceae family. It grows in territories located at sea level up to 3,000 meters above sea level, at temperatures between 8°C and 27°C, and in humidity levels ranging from 80% to 90%.
Lucuma is a spherical, conical or basally compressed berry, with a thin green or tan-yellow peel. The pulp has an intense yellow color, which has earned it the nickname "Gold of the Incas." In addition, it has a mealy texture, soft consistency, and a very pleasant flavor and aroma.
Ancestral origin
The origin of lucuma dates back to ancient times. The legend states that an Andean goddess refused love until a mythological being, disguised as a beggar, won her over with a lucuma, which represents fertility in Inca mythology.
In pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Mochica, which developed along the northern coast of Peru, between the 2nd and 5th centuries AD, lucuma and its seeds are present in their ceramics, as well as in the tombs of rulers and noble people.
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Published: 10/25/2023