Did you know that a total of 15 plants contribute to about 90% of our energy intake? Yet, there are more than 7,000 different types of edible plants in the world. Experts believe that the key to future-proofing our diet is diversification and adding more resilient foods to that list of 15. Here are five key superfoods that we should include in our diets going forward, according to experts.

1. Pandanus

Pandanus is a small screw pine tree. The female plant grows a pineapple-like fruit that’s rich in vitamins and potassium. The tree is native to the warm coastal lowlands and islands in the Asia Pacific region. Both the female and male plants have aromatic green leaves that are used to flavor cakes, rice dishes, and jams, as well as to wrap fish and meat.

2. Seaweed

Seaweed farm in Indonesia
Ocean farming has gained increased popularity in recent years as more businesses are trying to produce vegetables without the use of freshwater, land, or fertilizer. While most of us are no strangers to the famous dried sheets of red seaweed used to make sushi, there are many other edible forms of seaweed (e.g., kelp and dulse), making it one of the most versatile superfoods out there.

3. False Banana

This Ethiopian enset plant is called a false banana because the banana-like fruit it produces is actually inedible. It’s the starch stem and roots that are used to make dough for bread and porridge. It’s estimated that 60 plants of false banana could be enough to feed a family of five for a whole year!

4. Sierra Leone Coffee

Sierra Leone Coffee
Although we’re used to starting our day with a cup of flavorful Arabica coffee, the most popular brew on the planet, it’s good to explore other options. Researchers have discovered a rare species of wild coffee from Sierra Leone that's much more resilient and deserves to be added to our list of superfoods going forward.

5. Cacti

Using cacti in meals is common in Mexico, where the nopales (the prickly pear cactus pads) are a popular vegetable served with scrambled eggs or tacos. There are many other edible types of cacti that can offer fiber and vitamins to any meal.

Other Superfoods to Consider

In addition to the superfoods mentioned above, experts recommend adding more types of beans aside from everyone’s favorite kidney beans, favas, and pintos, such as the Marama beans. Other superfoods include Mexico’s Chaya plant and Somalia and Ethiopia’s Yeheb nut.