Sacha inchi (Plukentia volubilis L.), also known as the Inca
peanut, is a perennial, oleaginous plant of the Euphorbiaceae family,
native to the rain forest of the Andean region of South America.
The plant was known by the natives of the area for thousands of
years as witnessed by several representations reported on vessels
found in Incan tombs.1 The Sacha inchi plant produces star-shaped
green fruits, which yield edible dark brown seeds, slightly enlarged
in the center and squashed toward the edges. The seeds are rich in
oil (3560%) and proteins (27%) and contain heat-labile substances
with a bitter taste.2 Chancas Indians and other tribal groups
of the region extract oil from the seeds, which is used for the
preparation of various meals. Roasted seeds and cooked leaves are
also an important component of their diets.