Sacha inchi ✦

Sacha inchi

What it is

The vine's fruit dries into a woody four- or five-pointed star, which is the whole of its trade name and most of its shelf appeal; the seed inside is inedible raw and becomes a nut only in the roasting pan. Around half its oil is alpha-linolenic acid, one of the highest figures of any pressed seed — and the reason that oil goes off faster than almost anything else in the pantry.

In the kitchen

Never cook with the oil. It oxidises at gentle heat and turns fishy within minutes in a hot pan; dress with it cold, keep the bottle in the fridge and finish it within a month of opening.

Goes with

Quinoa Lime Cocoa nibs Avocado Honey Salt Chili pepper Sweet potato

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