Gian Paolo Daguer, known as the “Lord of the Fruit,” promotes Colombia’s native fruits to prevent their extinction. He highlights rare species like lucuma and churumbelo through social media, emphasizing their unique flavors and the necessity of consumption for conservation. Collaborating with chefs and engaging the public, he strives to create a wider appreciation for Colombia’s rich biodiversity amid rising homogenization of diets.
In Colombia, Gian Paolo Daguer, known as the “Lord of the Fruit,” passionately advocates for rare native fruit species through social media platforms. As an environmental engineer, he describes various fruits to his audience, aiming to save these natural treasures from extinction in one of the world’s most biodiverse nations.
Among his favorites is the lucuma, which he proudly introduces to viewers. Resembling a small coconut with a yellowish avocado-like pulp, Daguer highlights its unique flavor and versatility. “This is considered the queen of Peruvian fruits,” he remarks, showcasing its rich culinary potential to his growing audience.
Despite their unique tastes, many Colombian fruits, including the lucuma, face the threat of extinction due to the prominence of internationally popular fruits such as mango and papaya. Biologist Carolina Castellanos from the Humboldt Institute emphasizes that as global diets become more homogenized, these native species are increasingly overlooked and at risk of disappearing.
One endangered fruit featured by Daguer is the churumbelo, a sweet legacy of Colombia’s Boyaca department. This delightful berry is, unfortunately, endangered due to habitat loss from farming and mining.
A 2022 study revealed that Colombia hosts over 3,000 edible plant species, yet one in ten faces extinction. Amid rampant deforestation for agriculture, Daguer’s efforts include encouraging the cultivation of these rare fruits in residential gardens across the country, where he provides seeds at minimal cost to his enthusiastic followers.
Daguer’s initiative, “frutas_colombianas,” boasts over 108,000 followers, and he fosters community through WhatsApp groups for knowledge sharing among biologists, farmers, and chefs. He believes that this grassroots learning aids in conserving rare fruits that may otherwise go undocumented.
His dedication has led to the first cataloging of the quinguejo, a berry found in Nuqui, marking a significant step in preserving these species. Daguer warns against the persistent destruction of ecosystems and stresses the need for human involvement in nature’s recovery, stating, “And recovery is achieved by replanting.”
In collaboration with Daguer, Chef Antonuela Ariza incorporates rare fruits into her restaurant’s menu to promote biodiversity. Her dishes include creative uses for camu-camu and copoazu, showcasing the importance of celebrating and consuming these unique fruits. “What we do not eat is lost,” she cautions, underlining the critical link between consumption and conservation.
Gian Paolo Daguer, the “Lord of the Fruit,” is on a mission to elevate awareness and conserve Colombia’s rare native fruit species amid their declining popularity and risk of extinction. Through social media and community engagement, he seeks to foster a new generation of fruit enthusiasts committed to preserving biodiversity. Collaborations with chefs and ongoing grassroots initiatives signify a promising step toward protecting these unique treasures of Colombia’s natural heritage.
Original Source: www.communitynewspapergroup.com
