Macambo Beans: The Nutritional Powerhouse You Never Heard Of
- Josh Boughton
- Aug 21, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 17
Beans have often been called the magical fruit because, well, you know. But what if there was an even more magical bean that you've never heard of?
We are excited to introduce you to Macambo, the brain bean.
Macambo Beans
Macambo (Theobroma Bicolor) is cacao’s incredible cousin, also known as Jaguar or Masculine cacao. This super bean has been used for centuries by the Native peoples because of its benefits.
Macambo comes from the fruit of a ten million year old tree that was once cacao but evolved into a unique species deep in the Amazon rainforest. It grows around cacao in Peru, towering above and shading it from the sun like a protector.
Its brain-like shape is a beautiful coincidence.
Nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in Macambo Beans
So what’s in these nutty and delicious beans?
These little guys are rich in prebiotic fiber. Twelve provides nine grams of fiber, which is beneficial for nourishing your good bacteria. Unlike most beans, the type of fiber in them is not gassy and won’t cause bloating; it is just good food for your good bacteria.
They have a great fat profile, low in omega-6 and high in the beneficial fatty acid omega-9.
Macambo is rich in several beneficial compounds.
Theobromine
Theophylline
Polyphenols are a class of compounds found in many plant foods that are potent antioxidants and great prebiotics.
These little beans pack some big benefits!
How to use macambo beans
You can use them in lots of different ways. Enjoy straight from the bag, crumbled over desserts and drinks, or sprinkled on salads for a unique flavor twist. Blend with milk to create a delicious, nutty hot or cold beverage. Grind into a paste and add to desserts, baking, sweets, or savory dishes.
They make a delicious topping on a maca or cacao latte.
Macambo Bean Milk
You can also make a delicious almond milk alternative using them.
Place one cup of macambo beans in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak overnight.
Drain and rinse the macambo beans, then add them to a high-speed blender with four cups of fresh water. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
Pour the blended mixture through a nut milk bag or fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible to extract all the milk.
At this stage, you can sweeten it with ingredients like honey, maple syrup, or dates if desired. You can also add flavors like vanilla extract or cinnamon.
Pour the strained mixture into a jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days. Remember to shake it well before each use, as it may separate naturally.
Sustainability and ethics of macambo beans
Macambo beans are very rare in the wild and can easily be overharvested, which would lead to them becoming extinct very quickly if lots of companies did it, which is why you should never buy wild-harvested ones. It is only found in South America and some parts of Central America, and it has a beautiful spiritual and physical relationship with cacao in traditional cacao production.
We are excited to be able to supply Macambo beans directly from a family farm in Peru that grows them organically. It grows over the cacao, helping to provide shade and protect the cacao. It is not being wild-harvested, so it will not affect wild populations of the plant. The farmers are paid a fair price for their crops. This allows all of us to experience the benefits of this incredible food without causing harm to the environment while helping to provide a good living for family farmers. A true win-win!
Use code Macambo at checkout to save ten percent!