The heart of palm consists of the edible part of some species of palm trees native to South America. Two main generas stand out: the Tembe or Pejibaye, grown in agroforestry plantations, and the Asaí of the Euterpe species, in danger of extinction. Both of which are found in the natural Amazonian forests of Bolivia and can reach 20 meters in height.
The indigenous peoples of America already used the tender part of the stem, the bud or bud of the unopened leaves from the top of the palm tree (the heart of palm) for their food consumption. It was only in the 1970s that the exploitation of the heart of palm began for commercial purposes in Costa Rica, Central America.
Heart of palm is an expensive product to obtain, since only 0.5 to 1.3 kilograms is extracted per stem of at least 2 meters becoming waste. The cultivated species can produce more than one stem and requires a minimum of 18 to 24 months of cultivation for its harvest, depending mainly on the availability of water (90% of the palm heart is water). This fact is more accentuated when dealing with wild species, which have a single stem and the harvest requires that the palm be between 10 and 15 years old.
Among the many uses of Palmito, it is mainly food used for human consumption. It is easily digestible, low in fat and low in calories, with a variety of benefits for the body given its nutritional properties.
Due to being white to ivory in color, with a firm texture and delicate flavor, it is considered a highly appreciated exotic gourmet product, with a high monetary value. It can be used to accompany main dishes at meals, in salad mixes, seasoned with oil, vinaigrette or other condiments.
It is also used in creams or soups which have a fairly high nutritional content, and to prepare ceviche. On the other hand, it can be transformed into soft drink or liquor and most commonly sold in cans internationally.
On the other hand, the disposal of Palmito can also be used for other purposes. It can be used for animal feed, as concentrated feed in silage for cattle or birds. The leaves of the palm tree can be used to roof the native houses, or are used in basketry or making brooms as well as an organic fertilizer. The fibers that are extracted from them are also commonly used in the paper and textile industries, along with the palm’s fruits being used in popular medicine as an astringent. From the palm, oil extraction is possible and wood is used for a variety of different uses. The plant itself has a purpose in providing pollen for bees; and finally, for ornamental purposes in parks, public walkways, gardens, and when young, in flower pots to decorate patios and terraces.
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