The link between palm oil and deforestation has been well documented in recent years. Oil—which is used in everything from food to beauty products—has been linked to the destruction of some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, which are home to many endangered species. But this is not the only product that comes from the palm tree.
Hearts of palm have been eaten for centuries throughout South America, Central America and Southeast Asia, but only recently has the ingredient — which, as the name suggests, comes from the heart of the palm tree — begun to grow in popularity across the West. This is, in part, because it’s a very convincing seafood alternative, thanks to its mild flavor and slightly firm, flaky texture.
But considering the issues associated with date palm cultivation, is it ethical to eat palm hearts? It turns out, depending on a few factors, including how It is sourced. Here’s what you need to know.
Elaine Godofsky Moreno
What is the heart of the palate?
Heart of palm is taken from the tender, inner core of various palm tree species. After harvesting, they are usually cut into small pieces and packed into cans and jars, often with brine. Although they can be used to make vegan seafood dishes like lobster, scampi, and crab, they’re also often added to stews, salads, and tacos.
According to the recipe blog, in Mexico, they are often marinated and eaten with lime juice and chili powder to enhance the appetite. Mexico is in my kitchen. And in Colombia, they’re a staple Palmetto GratinWhich is basically heart of palm loaded with heavy cream and cheese.
The market for heart of palm is constantly growing. According to market research firm The Insight Partners, this is due to the changing lifestyles of many consumers, who are looking for healthy and nutritious plant-based foods.
“[Hearts of palm] Highly nutritious, as well as an important source of dietary fiber,” notes the firm. “It is a rich source of zinc, which helps wounds heal faster. Vegetables contain vitamins A and K, which are essential for a healthy scalp and hair. Thus, all these have increased the demand for health facilities [the] The packaged heart of the palm market.”
How are the hearts of dates cut?
Although plant-based foods are, on the whole, more sustainable than animal products, they are not always perfect. Hearts of palm have been linked to environmental damage, but it’s important not to mix the material with palm oil. it is is It is possible to harvest palm hearts sustainably, but producers must pay attention to several factors, one of the most important factors being the species of palm tree they are using.
According to research-based sustainability platform Citizen Sustainable, palm heart can be obtained from the peach palm or acai palm, both of which have several stems, or the jukara palm, coconut palm, and sabal palm, all of which have a single stem. . If palm hearts are taken from a tree with multiple stems using responsible harvesting practices, they can be harvested without killing the tree and the tree can be left to regenerate. If the material is collected from a palm tree with just one branch, it will kill the plant.
The platform notes, “While many regions have regulations to protect palm populations, some countries, such as Brazil, have a history of illegal palm harvesting.
But, according to chef, food stylist and author Mariana Velasquez, who grew up eating dates in Colombia, in Putumayo, southern Colombia, the government has actually used the heart of date palm farming to encourage people to move away from the illegal activities involved. With the coca crop (coca leaves are the raw material for making cocaine). “[It’s] Part of a government strategy to provide communities with secure, sustainable and profitable livelihoods,” he wrote the taste.
Pixabay
Is it ethical to eat palm hearts?
Whether or not palm hearts are ethical to eat depends on where they come from. For example, Velasquez notes that there are farms openly committed to sustainable harvesting techniques, such as Puna Gardens in Hawaii.
And Edward & Sons Trading Co, an organic, vegan food supplier based in California, which produces Native Forest Organic Hearts of Palm, relies on mission-driven projects to source its key ingredients and, at the same time, “support social good while conserving. Primitive rainforest ecology.” The brand’s principal partner, Edgar Montenegro, even received the 2018 Oslo Business for Peace Award for his work using food production to help build sustainable communities in places across Colombia, including Putumayo.
“Montenegro works closely with local Afro-Colombian communities and indigenous peoples, providing work for more than 240 families, impacting more than 1,300 families and helping marginalized groups become more resilient,” notes Edward & Sons. “We are proud that the Native Forest Organic Hearts of Palm project contributes to the success of its mission.”
Brands are not alone. In Belgium, Oxfam Fair Trade sources palm hearts from San Martin, Peru, through a cooperative that empowers farmers to move away from coca and sustainably grow palm instead. According to Oxfam, the cooperative Apropal currently benefits 350 farming families and is one of Peru’s largest palm exporters.
The bottom line is, when it comes to the ethical heart of eating palm, it’s important to pay attention to where your food is coming from. Before you buy, first, do your research on where it comes from and what plants were used to produce it. If it’s sustainable, the truth is, you don’t have to look too hard—most brands and producers who are doing the right thing will make sure this information is easily accessible to you. It takes a little extra time and effort, but this way, you know your next delicious vegan meal isn’t hurting the environment.
To learn more about vegan ingredients, read:
Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on the south coast of England.