Ice cream bean (Inga vera)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Inga vera is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet tasting pulp found surrounding the seeds inside the pod is eaten. — The sweet tasting pulp found surrounding the seeds inside the pod is eaten.; It is not widely appreciated.; The nearly cylindrical, narrow pods are 10 - 20cm long, 1 - 2cm wide.

Habitat & North American Range

Tropical moist forest. Along riverbanks and in sheltered ravines at elevations of 60 - 700 metres. Prefers damp to wet soils, growing mainly in secondary formations. (Zone 10)