Tag: Mayan spinach

Native to the Yucatán Peninsula, chaya leaf is known as a highly nutritious 'super green,' containing superior levels of protein, iron, and vitamins compared to spinach. However, raw chaya is toxic and must be cooked properly before consumption to neutralize naturally occurring cyanogenic glycosides.

Native to the Yucatán Peninsula and Central America, chaya (often called Mayan spinach) has been a staple food for centuries, valued for its impressive nutrient content. But is chaya a superfood that can rival the popularity of kale or spinach? This question comes with a critical caveat: it's only a nutritional powerhouse when prepared correctly, due to the presence of natural toxins.