Ice-cream bean
It is a tropical plant. It can grow in the subtropics. It grows naturally in regions with an average temperature of 20°C. The rainfall is 1,000 - 5,000 mm per year. It grows naturally along river banks, lakes and swamps in the Brazilian Amazon. It will stand temperatures near freezing when mature. It can grow in very acid soils with a pH of 4 and with high aluminium. In Bolivia it grows up to 1500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Also known as:
Baboon tail whitey, Bribri, Copocoqui, Doho arau, Food Inga, Frerogus, Frerogust, Geli-weko, Guaba, Guama, Guampa, Guamo, Guavo-bejuco, Huaba, Inga macarrao, Inga-Cipo, Inga-de-macaco, Inga-rabo-de-mico, Jacanicuil, Juiniquil, Korokoroshiri, Krepu uhi, Machete, Pacai, Pacay, Paidyawa, Pitsa, Pohon eskrim kacang, Pohon inga edulis, Pu shillo, Rope whitey, Sichi jacquie, Swieti bonki, Tite-weko, Wampa, Warako-sa, Xenane
Synonyms
- Feuilleea conferta (Benth.) Kuntze
- Feuilleea edulis (Mart.) Kuntze
- Feuilleea scabruiscula (Benth.) Kuntze
- Inga benthamiana Meissn.
- Inga chorrerana T.S. Elias
- Inga complanata Amshoff
- Inga conferta Benth.
- Inga edulis var. parvifolia Benth.
- Inga scabriuscula Benth.
- Inga scabriuscula var. villosior Benth.
- Inga uncinata Spruce ex Benth.
- Inga vera Kunth.
- Inga ynga (Vell.) J.W. Moore
- Mimosa inga Vell.
Edible Portion
- Pod pulp, Fruit, Aril
Where does Ice-cream bean grow?
Found in: Africa, Amazon, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, Colombia, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galapagos, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Suriname, Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, West Africa
Notes: There are 350 Inga species. Also as Mimosaceae. Probably in a hot house in Slovenia.
Status: It is popular in Central and South America. It is a cultivated food plant. The fruit are sold.
Growing Ice-cream bean
Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Fresh seeds have a high germination. The pulp around the seed is removed and they are planted 2 cm deep. Cuttings are very difficult to form roots.
Edible Uses: The fruit are always eaten fresh. The pods are split open and the pulp eaten. The flavour is sweet and resembles vanilla ice-cream.
Production: Trees can start producing in 3 years. Pods do not store well. Trees fruit all year round including the dry season.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
Ice-cream bean Photos
References
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