Oh Panama!

My Life and Times in Panama

Saturday, October 14, 2006

PIXBAE...the perfect food!

The Pixbae "Peach Palm Fruit", Bactris gasipaes is a species of palm native to the tropical forests of South and Central America and is a tropical fruit that is found abundantly in mountain regions and remote areas of Panama. It has been recognized by renowned chefs as "the noble Panamanian fruit," because 92% of its skin, pulp and seed are usable.

Analysis performed by experts has confirmed that as food, it is the tropical fruit that is the most balanced and the most nourishing, because it contains more protein than the avocado, has twice the protein value of the banana and its nutritional value is comparable to the hen's egg but without the cholesterol.

It is a palm which can typically grow to 20m or taller, with pinnate leaves 3 m long on a 1 m long petiole. The fruit is a drupe with an edible pulp surrounding the single seed, 4-6 cm long and 3-5 cm broad. The rind (epicarp) of this wild palm can be red, yellow, or orange when the fruit is ripe depending on the variety of the palm.

Pixbae is well known by the native population of Panama. They frequently eat the fruit peeled after being boiled in salted water. It's also eaten with honey, used to make compotes and jellies, or also used to make flour and edible oil.

The Pixbae also has a high nutritional value since it's rich in fiber, contains Vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin (excellent for the blood), Niacin (very good supplement to keep good eyesight), Ascorbic acid, calcium and other nutrients.

Panama | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pixbae

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