Herb
Mashua
B tier
Mashua is the Quechua and market name for Tropaeolum tuberosum—colourful fingered tubers (white, yellow, purple-streaked) with a sharp raw bite that cooking transforms toward sweet and mild. Leaves and orange-red flowers remain edible pepper garnish. A heritage Andean staple alongside potato and oca. Seek food-grade tubers; ornamental plantings may not be selected for eating quality.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
BoilMashRoastTraditional Stew
Traits
Andean NameColourful SkinCooked SweetnessEdible TuberHeritageTransforms With HeatTuber
History
PE
Mashua sustained Andean communities as a resilient tuber food.
BO
Highland trade moved mashua among Andean markets.
Biodiversity projects promoted mashua outside its homeland.
Chefs exploring Andean ingredients plated mashua in tasting menus.