Meet the macambo bean
Another superfood is on the rise and it’s from the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Meet the macambo bean. Some say it’s a relative of the cacao bean but resembles a walnut. We think it looks like a brain, which is ironic because there are claims that it supports “brain function and digestion.”
The macambo tree often grows side-by-side to a cacao tree in its Peruvian environment. Where the cacao trees grow 15 to 25 feet tall, the macambo trees can grow up to 30 meters tall—that’s 98 feet! The cacao tucks itself in by the macambo and gets shade and protection. Because of this, natives often call the macambo cacao’s grandfather.
Purchased from Imlak’esh Organics, the company indicates this bean has a crunchy texture and smooth, buttery flavor. Yes, the texture is crunchy… an interesting crumbly crunchy. But when it comes to the smooth, butter flavor, we disagree. We didn’t get any creaminess or buttery overtones. In fact, the bean was devoid of any pronounced flavors.
It’s different—not terrible, but not tasty like a peanut, cashew or pecan. Yet, strangely, many of us kept eating the beans because the texture was so fascinating. Though these beans are salted, it’s extremely light, and we think if they had more salt, it possibly could bring out more flavor in the beans.
The macambo bean has some wonderful qualities. It’s high in fiber, protein and Omega-9. It has Theobromine, which is an antioxidant, and there is evidence that it promotes wakefulness, promotes lower blood pressure, and improves blood flow, mood and respiratory health. Theobromine is most commonly linked with chocolate. It is the reason you don’t want to feed your dog chocolate because in high doses it can be lethal. Don’t feed your dog macambo beans either.
According to Hills Pet, “The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine. Humans easily metabolize theobromine, but dogs process it much more slowly, allowing it to build up to toxic levels in their system. ... With large amounts, theobromine can produce muscle tremors, seizures, an irregular heartbeat, internal bleeding or a heart attack.”
If you want to know more about Theobromine, read The Optimizing Blog.
This is the second product we’ve reviewed from Imlak-esh Organics, and we like the company’s values as well as its focus on sustainability.
The label on the jar of macambo beans states “Empowering local Peruvian Women’s Collectives.” We didn’t know exactly what was meant by this statement, so we sent an email to the company through its connect@ customer service email.
Here's response we received:
Thank you so much for reaching out and for your interest in our Macambo Beans.
All of our superfoods are ethically sourced from small-scale organic farmers around the world. Our Macambo Beans are wild harvested from Amazonian regions in Peru. Local Peruvian women’s collectives in the Amazon collect the pods and harvest the beans. Not only does the wild harvesting method support old growth rainforest preservation, but this method also provides indigenous communities with socio economic opportunities. We want to be sure to safeguard the planet, and its people as well!
Let me know if I can help you with anything else. Enjoy the Macambo Beans!
Kesh Mullen
Imlak’esh Organics
Customer Service Hero
We purchased our macambo beans from Amazon, but Imlak’esh Organics is now available in Sprouts, Whole Foods and online at Thrive Market. The beans are not inexpensive, but if you’re looking for a lot of nutritional value packed into an interesting snack, these might just be for you. Expect to pay upwards of $28 for a 14 oz jar, but they will last you awhile. It’s not something you’re going to sit down and eat in a day.
Learn more about Imlak’esh Organics and its journey toward regeneration in the video below.
