The fruits are edible too and honestly the real reason we wanted it.
The Basics
Peach palm, Bactris gasipaes, is a clumping palm in the family Arecaceae.
Origin and Habitat
Native to Central and South America, long cultivated by indigenous peoples throughout the region.
What It Looks Like
A clumping palm, grown commercially mostly for heart of palm, the inner core of the stalk. Ours turned out to be a non-thorny variety, which is a pleasant surprise since this species is usually covered in vicious spines, unlike our thornless-by-luck clump here, though our salak more than makes up for it in the spine department.
Uses and Flavor
Heart of palm is crunchy, tender, and pretty much flavorless, a big deal in Central and South American cooking. The fruits are edible too, usually eaten in stews or curries after cooking, and honestly the real reason we wanted this palm.
Growing It Here
Got more seeds later from Adam, originally from Yuri’s farm. The clump is still under 8 years old but already more than 15 feet tall, and we’re still waiting on that first fruit.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Nothing to report so far.
Kenta’s Take
Most people who know this palm only know it for heart of palm. I’m more interested in getting to the fruit, which far fewer people talk about. Now if it would just hurry up and produce.