Pacaya palm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pacaya palm |
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| Pacaya palm (Chamaedorea tepejilote) taken at Atitlán Lake in Guatemala | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chamaedorea
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| Species: |
tepejilote
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The pacaya palm (scientific name: Chamaedorea tepejilote) is a type of palm tree. It grows in the lower parts of forests, often called the understory. You can find this plant in southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern Colombia.
What is Pacaya?
The pacaya palm is known for its special edible parts. These are the young, unopened flower clusters, called inflorescences. People in Guatemala and El Salvador consider these flower clusters a delicious food.
Why the Name "Tepejilote"?
The word tepejilote comes from the Nahuatl language. It means "mountain maize" or "mountain corn." This name was chosen because the unopened flower clusters look a lot like small ears of corn. The common name pacaya might come from the Pacaya volcano in Guatemala.
How People Use Pacaya
Pacaya has a slightly bitter taste. However, the types grown on farms are usually less bitter. People enjoy eating pacaya in different ways.
Popular Dishes
One way to eat pacaya is in salads. A famous salad in Guatemala is called fiambre. This salad is traditionally eaten on the Day of the Dead.
Another popular dish is envueltos de pacaya. For this, the pacaya flower clusters are covered in a special egg batter and then fried. This dish is often served with a tasty tomato sauce. It is similar to how chiles rellenos are prepared.
