Use and nutritive value of talet beans,Amphicarpaea bracteata (Fabaceae: Phaseoleae) as human food in Puebla, México

Species of the genus Amphicarpaea have been reported as edible (for human consumption or as fodder) in Asia and North America. In northern Puebla, México, talet, A. bracteata, grows as a weed in multiple cropping systems, and its subterranean fruits are used as food by Nahuas, Totonacs, and Mestizos. This study documents how the seed is harvested during agricultural practices, the way in which the pleasant-tasting seeds are prepared for consumption, and how the plants are integrated in the management of the maizebean agroecosystem. We provide data on the chemical composition of talet beans, which is similar to that reported for other food legumes. Talet beans are recommended for development as a casually eaten protein supplement to the human diet in northern Puebla.