The Guaba or Ice Cream Bean (Inga edulis) is a tropical treasure—a tree that gives generously in every way. Its long, twisted pods contain sweet, cotton-like pulp that children throughout Latin America have enjoyed for millennia. But the Guaba's gifts go far deeper: as a legume, it captures nitrogen from the air and deposits it in the soil, enriching farmland with every fallen leaf. This combination of delicious fruit and ecological service has made it one of the most important trees in tropical agroforestry, providing shade for coffee and cacao plantations while improving soil fertility for free. In Costa Rica, the Guaba is as common in backyards as in the forest, beloved by all ages.

Throughout Latin America, Guaba pods are a favorite snack: Traditional Consumption: - Eaten fresh, directly from pod - Popular with children - Shared socially - Seasonal treat Commercial Products (limited): - Fresh pods sold at markets - Some artisanal products - Potential for more development Nutritional Value: - Good source of fiber - Contains vitamin C

• Natural sugars for energy - Low calories The main "product" is simply fresh pods eaten out of hand!

Few trees give as generously as the Guaba. There's the obvious gift— those long, twisted pods filled with sweet, cotton-like pulp that children across Latin America have enjoyed for thousands of years. But beneath the soil, invisible to us, the Guaba works its true magic: converting nitrogen from the air into a form that enriches the earth, making it one of nature's most effective soil improvers. This combination of delicious fruit and ecological service has made the Guaba indispensable in sustainable farming systems throughout the tropics. In Costa Rica, where the Guaba shades countless coffee plants while providing snacks for farmers' children, this remarkable tree demonstrates that human cultivation and ecological health can work hand in hand. Every pod of Guaba is a reminder that the best solutions are often the ones nature already provides.