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Lucuma
From Wiki Sumaq Peru
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Definition
Lucuma is a delicately flavored tropical fruit native to the cool highlands of South America. It is hardly possible to describe its flavor or aroma, but definitely it is one of my favorites. To get a taste of the fresh fruit you have to visit Peru in the summer months, from January to April in South America. If you go to Peru, remember to ask for lucuma ice cream made with the fresh fruit. It is just the best.
While enjoying your fruit, check out the local markets and handcrafts. While Lucuma stimulates your sense of taste and smell, let the beauty of Peru fill your eyes.
I know there are some people trying to grow this fruit in the USA but don't really know if you can find it fresh anywhere. Although never the same, the best option you have in USA is to get it in its dehydrated form as lucuma flour or powder used for making ice creams.
History of the Lucuma
The lucmo tree was first seen and reported by Europeans in Ecuador in 1531. Archaeologists have found it frequently depicted on ceramics at burial sites of the indigenous people of coastal Peru. It is native and cultivated in the highlands of western Chile and Peru and possibly southeastern Ecuador where it is known to have been cultivated since ancient times. It is grown also, to a limited extent, in the Andes of eastern Bolivia and the fruit is sold in the markets of La Paz. It is most popular in central Chile, less so in Ecuador.
In 1776, it was reported as planted only in the warmest parts of northern Chile. In 1912, there were a few trees growing in gardens around San José, Costa Rica where the lucmo was introduced by returning exiles in the first half of the 19th Century. In 1915, O.F. Cook collected seeds at Ollantaytambo, Peru, for the United States Department of Agriculture In January of 1922, Wilson Popenoe introduced seeds from Santiago, Chile (There have been several attempts to grow the tree in southern Florida.
Characteristics of this fruit
- It has not lived long. One specimen actually bore fruit at the Fairchild Tropical Garden, developed galls, and eventually succumbed. The lucmo grows well in parts of Mexico and Hawaii but the fruit is not widely favoured.
- The scientific name for this fruit is (Pouteria Obovata Baehni) and it grows best at altitudes above 1,000 m. It has an ovoid shape 5 to 8 cm long, and when ripe it shows a green yellowish color. Pealing its thin skin reveals a dry and starchy orange-yellow flesh.
- Peru and Chile are the main producers and the bulk of the production is used in dehydrated form. Only a small percentage reaches the local markets to be consumed fresh. Once dehydrated, the lucuma powder is mainly used to flavor ice creams and other milk products.
- Lúcuma is a nutrient dense fruit from Peru. We are the UK's only certified organic importers of lúcuma. Lúcuma's posh title is lúcuma obovata or pouteria obovata. The tree is long lived, evergreen, and belongs to the Sapotaceae family -- so it's similar to the canistel and sapote. It smells divine, and tastes like maple syrup flavoured ice-cream! In Peru, the yellowy-orange fruit pulp is added to ice-cream and is Peru's favourite flavour.
- Lúcuma fruit is an excellent source of carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals. It has lots of beta-carotene, niacin (B3) and iron.
- This exotic Peruvian fruit is also known as the "Gold of the Incas", and is also one of the lost crops of the Incas. Peruvian culture is steeped in traditions rich in fine foods and cultural culinary delights. The Lúcuma name has been honored both spiritually and culinary since ancient times. Today, this fruit is still prominent in contemporary celebrations.
Consumption
You can eat it in its natural state or as processed flour lucuma which is widely used in the pastry for the manufacture of ice cream and various desserts such as : manjarblanco of lucuma, souffles, pyes, shakes, to fill chocotejas and chocolates, etc.
References
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