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Suggested Citation:"Lucuma." National Research Council. 1989. Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1398.
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Page 262
Suggested Citation:"Lucuma." National Research Council. 1989. Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1398.
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Page 263
Suggested Citation:"Lucuma." National Research Council. 1989. Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1398.
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Page 264
Suggested Citation:"Lucuma." National Research Council. 1989. Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1398.
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Page 265

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250 LOST CROPS OF THE INCAS groundcherry, Peruvian groundcherry, Peruvian cherry (U.S.), poha (Hawaii), jam fruit (India), physalis German: Ananaskirsche, essbare Judaskirsche, Kap-Stachelbeere, peruanische Schlutte, judenkirche Dutch: tampion French: coquerelle, coqueret, coqueret du Perou, alkekenge du Perou Italian: fisalis Portuguese: batetesta, camapu, camapum, groselha do Peru, herva noiva do Peru, tomato ingles, tomateiro ingles Hindi: teparee, makowi Sinhalese: thol thakkali Malawi: jamu, Peruvian cherry Arabic: habwa (Sudan) Origin. The goldenberry was known to the Incas, but its origin is obscure. It grows wild in many parts of the Andes (for instance, in Colombian forests above 2,200 m elevation), but whether these are wild ancestral plants or just cultivated plants run wild is not clear. Descr~ption. The goldenberry is a branched, shrubby herb nor- mally growing to about 1 m, with velvety, heart-shaped leaves. Before reaching full height, side branches develop and soon grow larger than the main stem, causing the plant to straggle sideways. If staked, pruned, and given good care, height may reach 2 m. The yellow, bell-shaped flowers are easily pollinated by insects and wind. (Insect pollinators, such as bees, generally appear to help fruit set.) The calyx at the base of the flower forms a "bladder" around the fruit as it begins to form, eventually enclosing it fully. This husk becomes straw-colored and parchmentlike on maturity. In warmer climates, the plant can flower and fruit year-round. The fruit measures 1.25-2 cm in diameter and contains many flat seeds it is somewhat like a miniature tomato in internal structure. When fully mature, the husk and fruit drop to the ground together. Horticultural Varieties. Although goldenberry has been commer- cially cultivated in some areas for more than 200 years and local genotypes are common, selected strains for commercial use are not widely available. A vigorous, large-fruited type (more than 2 cm in diameter) has recently been developed in Oregon (United States).~5 |5 Information from Peace Seeds.

Lucuma In the temperate highlands of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Chile, lucuma~ (Pouteria lucuma) is common. Well known to the Incas, it is an unusual fruit with smooth, bronze-yellow skin, and somewhat resembles a persimmon, but there the similarity ends. Its bright yellow or orange flesh is usually blended into other foods. Lucuma (pronounced luke-mah) pulp is popular in drinks, puddings, pies, cookies, and cakes. It tastes and smells like maple syrup. Added to milk or ice cream, it contributes both color and flavor. It is a frequent component of milk shakes, typically made with lucuma but without ice cream. For all that, lucuma is little known outside its homeland which is strange because it is rich, nutritious, and satisfying; is versatile; and possesses a distinctive Havor. It is enjoyed largely for its Havor, but in some parts of Peru and Ecuador it plays a significant part in the basic diet of the poor. Lucuma fruits can weigh 1 kg, they are very filling, and one tree can produce as many as 500 fruits during a year- enough to feed whole families. And at times when field crops are out of season or stressed by drought, lucuma, with its year-round produc- tion and deep roots, literally becomes the tree of life. Unlike most sweet fruits, the lucuma is high in solids and is a good source of carbohydrate and calories. When the fruit falls from the tree, it is still unripe. It is stored in hay or other dry material until soft. Even fully ripened, the pulp is firm and almost pumpkinlike in texture. Low in acid, it is a good source of minerals, particularly iron, as well as of vitamins, especially carotene (provitamin A) and niacin (vitamin B3) An unusual advantage is that the fruit, when ripe, can be dried and milled into a mealy flour. The flour can be shipped long distances, stored for years in airtight containers, and (in Peru at least) is found in markets year-round. Fresh, undried lucuma pulp can also be frozen and stored safely for long periods. Besides feeding people, its fruits are said to make a good feed for chickens, promoting both growth and eggs with bright-yellow yolks. In addition to its fruits, the lucuma tree is valued for its dense, durable timber. ' Also spelled lucmo. The botanical name is often also given as Pouteria obovata, or Lucuma obovata. 263

264 LOST CROPS OF THE INCAS Not enough is known about this fruit to fill in the horticulture, harvesting, nutrition, research needs, and other details as given in previous chapters. However, the tree has the following environmental requirements. Daylength. Fruits are set in latitudes from the equator to 33°S in Chile, so daylength seems unimportant. Rainfall. The plant grows well in areas subjected to occasional dryness and tolerates seasonal rains well, but not waterlogging or extended humid weather. Altitude. Although most common in inter-Andean valleys between 1,500 and 3,000 m elevation, lucuma grows well and produces fruits of high quality in the Peruvian lowlands and at sea level in Chile. Temperature. Although it thrives in cool highlands, lucuma seems to require frost-free climates and is killed by -5°C temperatures. Its climatic requirements are roughly comparable to those of lemons. Soil Type. Lucuma appears adapted to sandy and rocky sites and needs well-drained soils. It tolerates moderate salinity, calcareous soils, and trace element deficiencies (particularly iron) that often restrict other fruit trees. However, it yields best in deep alluvial soils high in organic matter. Lucuma is highly variable in fruit size and quality, but has received little horticultural or botanical attention.2 Fruit quality seems highly dependent on seedling type, climate, and horticultural practice. Com- mercial orchards would be more feasible if elite types were selected and propagated vegetatively.3 PROSPECTS The Andes. Lucuma is best known and enjoyed in Chile, Peru, and southern Ecuador. In spite of local popularity, it has suffered elsewhere in the Andes because the types tried there produced fruits that were too dry or of poor flavor. If superior types are selected and propagated, this fruit has a much greater future throughout the region. Peru and Chile have recently established named lucuma cultivars from selected grafts and seedlings. However, many valuable types remain in orchards and backyards still to be "discovered." Given the availability of superior cultivars suited to different climates, markets could be stimulated from Venezuela to Chile and Argentina. 2 Traditional cultivars are Seda and Palo. More recent selections have been made at the Universidad de Chile and at La Molina University. 3 Grafting is difficult to achieve, but tissue culture is showing some promise. Information from M. Moran-Robles.

LUCUMA 265 _` Lucuma fruits, unlike most fruits, are rich in starch and relatively dry. They are often used as a basic food and can be dried into flour that is easily stored and can provide a tasty treat even years later. (ProChile) The dried, ground pulp is prepared in small factories in Chile and Peru, but this easily transportable powder should be suitable both for expanded home processing and for increased commercial use. Export markets could develop in the United States, Japan, and other affluent societies looking for new flavors for dessert foods. Already, Chile is shipping lucuma to Switzerland, where the fruit is used to flavor ice cream. It is said that the flavor cannot be reproduced artificially.4 Other Developing Areas. Except for plantations in Costa Rica, the species is virtually unknown in commercial production outside South America. Plantings should be tried in other dry and frost-free highland areas of the tropics and subtropics. It seems likely to become useful in parts of Mexico, Central America, Brazil, and Central and southern Africa. Industrialized Regions. Lucuma has been tested on a backyard scale outside Latin America. It yielded satisfactorily in Hawaii, but so far has produced only poor-quality fruit in Florida. Some trees in California did well at first, but were eventually frozen out. Trials are now under way in Queensland, Australia, and the plant has shown early promise in sheltered frost-free sites in northern New Zealand. 4 Information from A. Endt.

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This fascinating, readable volume is filled with enticing, detailed information about more than 30 different Incan crops that promise to follow the potato's lead and become important contributors to the world's food supply. Some of these overlooked foods offer special advantages for developing nations, such as high nutritional quality and excellent yields. Many are adaptable to areas of the United States.

Lost Crops of the Incas includes vivid color photographs of many of the crops and describes the authors' experiences in growing, tasting, and preparing them in different ways. This book is for the gourmet and gourmand alike, as well as gardeners, botanists, farmers, and agricultural specialists in developing countries.

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