Peach Palm
(Bactris Gasipaes)
Peach Palm is grown extensively in Central America as
far south as Ecuador. The typical 18-metre (60-foot)
mature peach palm bears up to five clusters of 50 to 80
orange-yellow fruits, each of which is 5–7.5 cm (2–3
inches) in diameter. The fruit is edible as well as the
apical section of the trunk, together with its embryonic
fronds, is soft and has a delicate flavour; from this
the palmetto or heart of the palm is extracted. The sap
from this part of the trunk. either unfermented or
fermented in various degrees, are used to prepare
nutritional and intoxicating drinks.
back