Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
See close up the bush, pods, flowers and go from harvest to can, to plate, see all parts of the
It is part of the Panamanian tradition to always have rice with guandú for special events and end of the year holidays.
Cultivation of Guandu goes back at least 3000 years. Its origin is probably India, from where it travelled to East Africa to America. Guandu grains were found in the tombs of Pyramid workers. It is a hardy bush that grows from seeds in poor soil, which will be improved in two ways: by nitrogen that the plant takes from the air and fixes in the soil thereby fertilizing it; second its deep penetrating root system breaks hard soil, facilitating water penetration and aeration. These features of Guandu bushes make them good companions to other plants or trees that need lots of nitrogen in the soil. Guandu bushes need very little water, they grow well in dry climates, they like direct sun light. Guandu come in three colors, green, beige and black, they are sold fresh, dried or canned. They cook quickly (30 minutes) and have a nutty taste. It is possible to germinate the grains for eating raw in salads or make them more digestible after cooking, germinated Guandu have a somewhat blander taste.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cajanus cajan
ENGLISH NAME: Pigeon pea, from its frequent use as poultry feed in 19th century USA.
LOCAL NAMES: Guandu (Panama, Colombia), Gandul (Puerto Rico), Guandul (Dominican Republic), Gungo Pea(Jamaica), Quinchoncho (Venezuela), Andu (Brazil)
See close up the bush, pods, flowers and go from harvest to can, to plate, see all parts of the
It is part of the Panamanian tradition to always have rice with guandú for special events and end of the year holidays.
Cultivation of Guandu goes back at least 3000 years. Its origin is probably India, from where it travelled to East Africa to America. Guandu grains were found in the tombs of Pyramid workers. It is a hardy bush that grows from seeds in poor soil, which will be improved in two ways: by nitrogen that the plant takes from the air and fixes in the soil thereby fertilizing it; second its deep penetrating root system breaks hard soil, facilitating water penetration and aeration. These features of Guandu bushes make them good companions to other plants or trees that need lots of nitrogen in the soil. Guandu bushes need very little water, they grow well in dry climates, they like direct sun light. Guandu come in three colors, green, beige and black, they are sold fresh, dried or canned. They cook quickly (30 minutes) and have a nutty taste. It is possible to germinate the grains for eating raw in salads or make them more digestible after cooking, germinated Guandu have a somewhat blander taste.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cajanus cajan
ENGLISH NAME: Pigeon pea, from its frequent use as poultry feed in 19th century USA.
LOCAL NAMES: Guandu (Panama, Colombia), Gandul (Puerto Rico), Guandul (Dominican Republic), Gungo Pea(Jamaica), Quinchoncho (Venezuela), Andu (Brazil)
