Ramorinoa girolae

Speg.

Chuca, Chica

FabaceaeSeeds/NutsSpice/Beverage
Ramorinoa girolae
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) Nicolás García Del Castello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nicolás García Del Castello
Ramorinoa girolae
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) romanlabrousse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Seed, Seeds - coffee

The seeds are roasted and eaten, or used as a coffee substitute. Seeds are notably high in protein (21.2%) and lipids.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. In Argentina it grows between 1,400-2,600 m above sea level.

Argentina, South America*,

Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

How to Identify

A spiny shrub in the Fabaceae family with very small leaves, native to temperate regions of Argentina where it grows between 1,400-2,600 m elevation.

How to Grow

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed grow better if put in warm water before planting.

Notes

The seeds are 21.2 % protein, They are also rich in lipids.

References (3)
  • Burlart, A., 1952, Las Leguminosas Argentinas, Acme Agency, Buenos Aires 569 pp
  • ILDIS Legumes of the World http:www:ildis.org/Legume/Web
  • Luna, L. C., 2013, Ramorinoa girolae Speg (Fabaceae) seeds, an Argentinean traditional indigenous food: Nutrient composition and antioxidant activity. 2013, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

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