Macambo beans are a nutritional powerhouse, offering a rich profile of macronutrients and bioactive compounds. 

Macambo beans are particularly notable for their high fiber content, providing 31% fiber by weight, which supports digestive health and helps maintain a healthy weight. They also contain 25% protein by weight, making them an excellent plant-based protein source. Additionally, macambo beans are rich in omega-9 fatty acids, which are known to support heart health.

In terms of bioactive compounds, macambo beans contain theobromine, a natural alkaloid also found in cacao, which is linked to increased alertness and energy without the crash associated with caffeine.

Regarding antioxidant properties, studies have identified several phenolic acids in macambo beans, including salicylic, trans-cinnamic, sinapinic, chlorogenic, protocatechuic, gallic, quinic, and p-hydroxybenzoic acids. These compounds contribute to the beans' high antioxidant activity, with certain extracts showing up to 93% inhibition of oxidation in experimental models.

In summary, macambo beans offer a unique combination of macronutrients and bioactive compounds, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Origins 

In the lush Ecuadorian Amazon, generations of Indigenous farmers have nurtured and harvested macambo beans from towering rainforest trees. Macambo is a hidden treasure, a close yet distinctive relative of cacao, known for its delicate white bean. Its scientific name,Theobroma bicolor, highlights its kinship with cacao, though it boasts unique characteristics that set it apart.

Macambo is cultivated near one of the earliest archaeological sites with evidence of cacao consumption, dating back an astonishing 5,000 years. With its delicious pulp and large, edible seeds, macambo was likely discovered and domesticated around the same time as cacao by the ancient Indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon basin.

In Ecuador, macambo is also known by various names, including patasmuyo, kila, bacao and cacao blanco.

Impact: Trees That Sustain
In Ecuador, our macambo is cultivated by Indigenous farmers from the Kichwa and Shuar nations, who have preserved these productive trees for decades. Remarkably, 90% of macambo farmers are women, and the income they earn from macambo is often reinvested in family needs, such as healthcare and education for their children.

To the untrained eye, these Indigenous farms—known as chakras in the Kichwa language—are indistinguishable from the surrounding rainforest. These farms are dense and diverse, featuring dozens of plant species, from towering canopy trees to understory bushes, climbing vines, and ground-hugging herbs. Each plant has its traditional use and place in maintaining the nutrient cycle and the delicate web of life in the rainforest, providing food, medicine, building materials, dyes, and more.

Macambo trees are scattered throughout these forest farms, often planted years ago by the grandmothers and mothers of the farmers who harvest the pods today. Until recently, macambo harvests and consumption were in decline, as local communities increasingly turned away from traditional foods in favour of modern diets. Our partner in Ecuador is working to reverse this trend by offering nutrition and cooking workshops, promoting the resurgence of macambo and other healthy traditional foods.

By selling a portion of their macambo harvest—previously left to spoil on the forest floor—women farmers are rediscovering the value of conserving this and other traditional crops. Their incomes have increased, and they are once again embracing macambo as a nutritious and delicious local food, enjoyed in stews, roasted, or fried. With support from nurseries, tree-planting programmes, and our Ecuadorian partner, these farmers are slowly reviving abandoned trees and planting a new generation of macambo, ensuring the sustainabilityof their chakras for years to come. 

From the Amazon rainforest to your table

Through this partnership, Fair Business Alliance Ltd in the UK are proud to bring macambo to a global audience while supporting the livelihoods of Indigenous communities and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.

Macambo Beans

Allergen Information

May contain traces of sesame, soy, and tree nuts.

• As a Crunchy Snack: Enjoy Macambo Beans straight from the bag for a light, crispy, and satisfying snack.
• In Smoothies: Blend a handful into your smoothie for added protein, fiber, and a delicious nutty crunch.
• In Trail Mix: Mix with nuts, dried fruit, and cacao nibs for an energizing, nutrient-dense snack.
• As a Topping: Sprinkle over smoothie bowls, oatmeal, or yogurt for extra texture and nutrition.
• In Savory Dishes: Add to salads, grain bowls, or stir-fries for a unique, lightly toasted crunch.
• In Baking & Desserts: Incorporate into cookies, energy bars, or chocolate-based treats for a deep, earthy flavor.
• With Cacao: Pair with cacao nibs or chocolate for a rich, synergistic experience that honors the ancestral roots of these powerful beans.