Organic Mesquite Powder

The Life of Mesquite

Mesquite is the parent name for around 44 species of the tree, The Grove Mesquite is Prosopis Pallida, which is also known as Algarroba, Kaiwe, Huarango, Bayahonda and American Carob.
Prosopis Pallida is a member of the Legume family and is native to the drier areas of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It is a moderately sized tree with very sharp spines that can puncture feet (and even tyres), yellow/green flowers and looooong pods that contain the small brown seeds that are the parts used for food. It generally grows where other plants don't/can't grow (sandy, dry, salty soils, cliffs etc), growing well in frost free areas with seasonal rain and occasional dryness, but don't do well in humid and waterlogged areas. The taproot can penetrate the hardest of soils. Ironically, it is these very traits that have made Prosopis species so valuable in efforts to control soil erosion due to desertification. They can grow quickly and live for 1000's of years.

Some believe Mesquite tree to be important to the eco systems of Peru's andean western desert region due to it being so efficient at taking moisture from the soil (due to its long taproot), and also countering erosion. Seedlings need sufficient sunlight and water to survive and do not like to be in the shade. In the first year they can grow to be around 1m, once the tree has matured it will not grow at such a fast rate. Depending on its location, the trees can grow to up to around 10m tall or in dry windy environments they can be wind swept into twisted sculpted bush shapes.

The Grove Organic Mesquite, is cultivated by farmers who are registered with the World Fair Trade Organisation and certified Organic with the USDA and EU by the Control Union. Through this they receive technical, social and financial assistance to ensure that they are able to continue to provide a consistent, quality product.

History

Mesquite is the common name for several species of small trees in the genus Prosopis. The Grove variety is Prosopis pallida also know as Kiawe and Algarrobo. This species is native to the drier areas of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, but we have sourced ours from Piura in Peru. Mesquite (Prosopis pallida) spread to African and Pacific countries in the 1800’s and later throughout Asia. Interestingly, it was believed to have been introduced into northern and western Queensland in the early 1900’s (1920-1930), specifically as a shade tree for homesteads. They have also been planted to prevent erosion in arid areas. The trees spread rapidly and by the 1980’s — when it was mused as an ‘invasion’ — environmental officers sought to manage their numbers and prevent further spread and Queensland legislation declared Prosopis pallida as a Class 1 pest plant.

Historically and today, the entire tree has been utilised. The wood is strong and has been used for furniture, ship building (by the Spanish) and various other items such as fence posts. The price becoming quite high in the USA and eventually generally being used for bespoke pieces.

It has also been used for firewood, as it burns slowly with little to no smoke or ash. Local villagers (and others) have harvested the wood to make charcoal. When the dry season comes around and the grass stops growing, the beans have been used to bulk out feed for cattle (if cattle are fed solely on the beans they become malnourished).

The flowers—pre-bean pod—produce nectar which can be turned into a honey/syrup called “Algarrobina” which can be used as a sweetener and a natural thickener for foods and beverages which has been said to be an effective medicine for dysentery. It has also been used as a flour to make a cake for warriors / hunters travelling long distances.