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[title]Knowledge of different native species and their properties have accumulated in Peru for over thousands of years, and these superfoods continue to be used in Indigenous communities today. One of the best-kept secrets of the Amazon is sacha inchi, which has recently been making a name for itself in international markets. This star-shaped fruit hides seeds that are full of protein, vitamins, and fatty acids.
RECOMMENDED: Eat your way to Peru with maca.
Sacha inchi is a star-shaped fruit that grows on the vines of a plant native to the highlands of Peru. Under its thick outer husk are edible seeds packed with protein and vitamins, and are rich in omega-3 and omega-6—hello important dietary fats!
You’ll often hear sacha inchi seeds referred to as the bush peanut, mountain peanut, or Inca peanut, but they are not actually botanically related to the peanut at all. Its taste is similar to almond, and while not classified as a nut, sacha inchi can be enjoyed like so—tossed in salads and trail mix, or enjoyed on their own, roasted with a bit of salt. Sacha inchi is a particularly great source of nutrients for those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Sacha inchi oil—which is extracted by cold pressing the seeds—has also been hailed for its moisturizing and skin rejuvenating properties. Thanks to its natural emollients and fatty acids, its benefits include reducing the appearance of fine lines and spots.
You can find sacha inchi seeds from online retailer iHerb, which offers delivery to Thailand at a small cost. For those who want to reap this superfood’s skin-plumping benefits, luxury French cosmetics and skincare brand Clarins has two products in its line that contain the restorative properties of sacha inchi.