ENTRY: tucumã


CLASS: noun


SCIENTIFIC NAME: Astrocaryum aculeatum


EQUIVALENT: tucumã


DEFINITION: A palm fruit with fibrous orange flesh which can be eaten fresh or pulped and strained to be used as a basis for sweet and savory recipes.


EXAMPLE: Rich in vitamin A, tucumã is widely consumed in the North, especially in Manaus and Belém, where its pulp is sliced to become a popular sandwich filling. The large central seed is a source of bright orange-yellow oil with high levels of beta-carotene.