Tag: Edible palms

With over 2,600 species of palms in the family Arecaceae, it's a common misconception that all palm tree fruits are safe to eat. While many bear delicious and nutritious drupes, a significant number are either unpalatable or contain irritants that make them inedible, begging the question: which palm tree fruit is edible?.

Over 16 million pounds of hearts of palm are exported annually from Costa Rica alone, yet confusion persists about its safety. The simple answer to "is heart of palm poisonous?" is no, the edible heart of palm is not toxic. However, this safety hinges on proper identification and sourcing, as some ornamental palms and improperly processed products can pose risks.