An introduction to licuri!

The Piemonte da Diamantina region presents great potential for the production of licuri (Syagrus Coronata), a plant native to the region, that has long been used for human and animal consumption, as well as for raw material for handycrafts including hats, bags, mats and ornaments. The traditional activity of breaking licuri shells to produce the edible licuri nut is a source of income for agricultural families in the region.

With the Production Cooperative of the Piemonte da Diamantina Region (Cooperativa Produtiva da Região de Piemonte da Diamantina - COOPES) in the Brazilian city of Capim Grosso, communities and associations are trying to increasingly value products derived from licuri, especially for human consumption, developing more varied recipes and introducing licuri as an ingredient in many products.

COOPES sells cookies and snacks made from licuri, roasted licuri, carmalized licui, licuri oil and many others. These products are being presented in various markets and events at the national and even international level, attracting attention from the public, including major chefs. Events in 2008 and the first half of 2009 that COOPES attended include, among others, "Bahia Gourmet" (Salvador, Bahia, October 2018), "Terramadre" (Italy, October 2008), FENEARTE (Recife, Pernambuco, July 2009), ExpoSustent (São Paulo, October 2008), FENAFRA (Rio de Janeiro, January 2009, 1 Amostra Nacional de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (March 2009).

COOPES belongs to various networks that play an important role in the marketing of Coopes' products in markets and sales events, including Terra Madre Brasil, BUDEGA, Caatinga Cerrado, and ECOJUS.

The artisanal production of luciri takes advantage of every part of this plant: leaves, nuts, fruit and even the trunk. Every part can be transformed in viable products on the internal and external market. These products are options that generate income and dignified standards of living for rural workers.