Appears in
Oxford Companion to Food

By Alan Davidson

Published 2014

  • About

peté the Indonesian and most commonly used name for the edible seeds of Parkia speciosa, a tree native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It is cultivated, e.g. in Java.

The seed pods are long, up to about 30 cm (12") or even more, and characteristically twisted. The seeds vary in size, but may be 3 cm (1") long. Because of their strong aroma, which lingers on the breath like that of garlic, the Dutch gave them the name stinkboon (stink bean). For Indonesians, however, they are among the most prized vegetables and demand usually outstrips supply.