Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis), commonly known as the "Incan peanut”, is a perennial vine native to the South American tropics and parts of the Caribbean. The vine produces fruit all year round. The small star shaped fruits, green when unripe and dark brown when ripe, are normally left to dry on the vine before being harvested. Inside the fruit are small dark brown oval-shaped seeds.

Sacha inchi seeds are among the best plant sources of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, with approximately 45% omega-3 fatty acids and 35% omega-6 fatty acids. The seeds contain approximately 90-93% unsaturated fatty acids and only 6% saturated fatty acids. Rich in protein (about 60% by weight), sacha inchi is rich in essential and non-essential amino acids. It is also a good source of calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and E.*