I must be craving to be somewhere very far away. Perhaps I need a vacation? For now, here's a final installment related to the Peruvian Amazon, about a unique plant that produces a flavorful and very healthy oil.
Photo: Alejandro Balaguer for Prom Perú.Sacha inchi, an Amazonian plant, has been discovered to be the richest vegetable source of the essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 that protect the heart and lower cholesterol.
The plant is depicted on pottery found buried in Inca and pre-Inca tombs, so people in the region must have known about sacha inchi for hundreds if not thousands of years.
Sacha inchi contains 48% Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (olive or soy oil only contain 8%). Also, because of its makeup, it is the most easily digestible vegetable oil.
The oil isn't only incredibly healthy, it must also taste good since it just won a Gold Medal. When it will show up at my local supermarket?
Bottled under the the Inca Inchi label, this oil received a Gold Medal at the World Edible Oil Fair, part of the Salón World Ethnic & Specialty Food Show, held this past June in Paris.
Sacha inchi produces a fruit that, to me, looks like a pod. After the pods are dried, the seeds are extracted and pressed to make the oil.
I like this close up of sacha inchi.
This is the pod which is harvested from the plant.
Once the pod is dried, the hard inner body is revealed. Inside are the sacha inchi seeds.
The seeds are pressed to make the oil.
Almost two-thirds of Peru consists of tropical lowlands (green in the map above), the western edge of the immense Amazon basin, yet barely 12% of the population live there. Sacha inchi is one of the crops the Peruvian government's Pro Amazonía program is trying to develop in the region. Inca Ichi oil is produced by Agroindustrias Amazónicas.
Sources: Radio Programas del Perú and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos from Pro Amazonía.
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TAGS: Peru, Peruvian, food, cooking, cuisine, cocina, comida, gastronomía, peruana
TAGS: Peru, Peruvian, food, cooking, cuisine, cocina, comida, gastronomía, peruana
12 comments:
muy bueno Alejandro, vivo en Brasil pero un tio mio de vive en Peru trajo el Sacha Inchi y me encantó. todavia no los encontramaos por acá.. besitos
Sacha Inchi oil is a "new" old product. Scientific studies being carried out, show tremendous benefitial effects for human and animal health. Soon, this research will be published for everybody benefit. Wonder the reaction of the pharmaceutical industry regarding the capability of Sacha Inchi oil to improve the blood cholesterol profile, comparing for instance with Lipitor.
Ricardo Valdivia, Ph.D.
Its great to see such a terrific product being available outside Peru with such tremendous health benefits. Why not visit my website www.lifestyleremedies.com to buy Sacha Inchi Oils and snacks.
Where can I buy the inca inchi oil in retail or at least small wholesale? It's great but not available?
If you go to www.primalforce.net you can buy Sacha Inchi in the US.
Hello!!! I'm a sales executive who represents my families company in the united states (mia, fl). I'd be more than happy to have our product available to you in the united states. I can be reached at marcoc@nutriomega.com or call me at 305-303-3279
The sacha inchi comes from the healthiest seed that our mother nature has to offer. come visit our website at www.nutriomega.com or contact me at marcoc@nutriomega.com for more information on our sacha inchi oil.
I've tried a lot of different companies' Sacha Inchi oil. But, my favorite is The Sacha Inchi Company's brand. They are at www.sachainchicompany.com.
I found that perucooking.com has Inca inchi oil and has the best price also, they offer many other products from Peru, the Pisco sour mix 100% Natural is like being at the Rana verde in La Punta.
You can buy Sacha Inchi oil in Canada now too. Here's a website http://aysanafoods.com.
This nice import is bottled in dark bottles to keep fresh. They also have some great recipes posted online.
I bought a bottle of Sacha Inchi oil online. It is delicious! My family loves it.
In Canada it is sold by Aysana Foods www.aysanafoods.com
The bottle is super fancy, very nice for a gift.
@ Dr. Valdivia: Thank you for the further information about sacha inchi.
To everybody else: Thanks for the tips for places where to purchase sacha inchi oil.
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