BROMELIADS: TRADITIONAL PLANT FOOD IN LATIN AMERICA SINCE PREHISPANIC TIMES

Abstract

Bromeliads are monocots that have been
consumed by natives in Latin America
since pre-Hispanic times. The principal
ways bromeliads are used as food sources
include the whole fruit or another part of
the plant. They are eaten as a vegetable
or prepared in beverages (fermented or
unfermented). This study includes local
literature, personal observations and open
interviews with people who know about
the alimentary uses of bromeliads. The
results cover ten countries and 24 species
of bromeliads which have been reported
and described as traditional foodstuffs. Of
these, 76.9% have only a single use and
23.0% have two different uses. One species
(Bromelia pinguin) has three different uses.
Even in the present day these plants are still
eaten as vegetables (12 sp.), used to prepare
beverages (11 sp.) and/or consumed directly
as fruits (nine sp.). It is important to note that
contrary to expectations, in Latin America
bromeliads are consumed more as vegetables
than fruits.