Rainforest Plants - Achocha

Family: Cucurbitaceaea

Taxon: Cyclanthera pedata

Common names: caigua, achocha, achoccha, achojcha, caiba, caihua, caygua, concombre grimpant, korila, kaikua, lady's slipper, pepino de comer, pepino de rellenar, pepino andino, slipper gourd, stuffing cucumber, taimia de comer, taimia de cipo, wild cucumber

General Description: Achocha (Caigua) is a vine found in tropical South America. It can grow to 40 feet, with tendrils that furnish occasion for climbing. The fruit resembles a flat cucumber and has been used historically in tribal medicine for lowering cholesterol, treating hypertension and regulating blood sugar. Other uses have also been documented among Peruvians.

Achocha is not grown commercially in the modern world, but seeds are ordinarily available from heirloom or heritage seed suppliers. It is a tender plant, and seeds are sown at the same time as tomatoes or beans. Achocha is an easy and spicy plant to grow, providing food screening and an eye-catching attraction for gardens.

Uses: An easy plant to grow, achocha was one of the food plants of the Incas and provides plentiful edible fruits in late summer. It was one of the food crops grown by the Incas that never became favorite in modern times. Achocha (Cyclanthera pedata) is not a true squash, but it belongs to the same family, Cucurbitaceae. This vine has been tested in cultivation outside the Americas and seems to have allembracing promise.

The flowers are small, but loved by hoverflies (beneficial garden insects) and achocha produces a prolific harvest. It is ready much like cucumbers and peppers; the fruit can be used small (1/2 inch) in salads or mature (1 inch, exploded) cooked. Some adolescent achochas look and taste like tiny cucumbers, a good substitute in many dishes. Filled with mincemeat or vegetables and baked, mature achochas make a tasty dish, not unlike stuffed peppers, with a flavor that has been likened to artichoke.

Achocha is increasingly favorite and available in the modern world. It has found its way to the natural products shop as a cholesterol administration supplement for lowering blood pressure, and blood-sugar regulation. It is sold in tablets or capsules, as well as freeze-dried fruit juice.