History
Its cultivation has been dated back to pre-incan times, possibly further than the Moche people (100-750AD), archeologists have found Moche decorated textiles, as well as ceramics and pottery either in the shape of or decorated with the Lucuma fruit (among other fruits and vegetables). Archeologists have also found some lucuma based ceramics in burial sites of the indigenous people of Peru. And so Lucuma is thought to be central to many Peruvian myths and fables and as a sacred tree.
It has been mused that the Incan culture believed Lucuma to be a symbol of fertility and new creation, but we could not find any proof that this was the case.
It was a staple for Peruvian people (manly the poor) for thousands of years, presumably this was due to its high carbohydrate content (plus the other nutritional compounds). A single tree having a yield of around 500 fruit per season, and when other crops did not survive Lucuma became the only food source for many. Leading to these communities potentially referring to Lucuma as 'the tree of life'. with at least 26 villages named after Lucuma.
Europeans first crossed paths with the fruit when they discovered it was used by the Incas.
In 1995, Scientists from the Peruvian Government submitted a report to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, indicating that the Lucuma is one of the most important plants of Peru, as a source of food and medicine (stating that "latex is used to treat skin lesions and infections").
In 2005, Peru listed Lucuma as 1 of the 10 national flagship products linked to the countries international identity. The intellectual property institute of Peru's government (INDECOPI) described these products by saying: “Flagship products of Peru are products or cultural expressions whose origin or transformation has occurred on Peruvian territory with characteristics that represent the image of Peru outside of the country.”
Interestingly an American Drug company (Rutgers) applied for an international patent (WO/2010/056908) for Lucuma Oil in 2010, specifically for the use of the seed oil on the skin, after they found that it had a wound healing application, claiming that there was “virtually no information on the effects of Lucuma on human health”. Obviously it was thrown out, as there is extensive documentation over many prior years illustrating the traditional medicinal qualities of Lucuma, not to mention the registration of Lucuma as a flagship product:
- 1864 "El Medico botanico Criollo" was published in Paris indicating that the "latex of immature fruit is used to treat skin problems, including warts and wounds".
- 1888 another French document says that the seed is used to treat stomach and urinary tract problems.
- 1888 the seed extracts was indicated to treat bladder problems by the Society of the Chemical Industry (UK).
In addition to the patent application, this same Drug company came up with a new English name for Lucuma: "Incan Golden Fruit". There does not appear to be any statements as to why, except that it may be more appealing when consumers purchase skin care products. Very controversial when it comes to history, indigenous people and then the perception of a product to make commercial sales. Lucuma has also been called the "Gold of the Incas", which is probably another 'marketing' phrase.
Also called "Lucmo", "Teissa" and curiously, "eggfruit" due to the dry orange flesh of the fruit being similar to that of a hard boiled egg. Although it has these similarities, it's flavour is very different with a unique maple and sweet potato mix - yum!
