Gnetum gnemon is a gymnosperm species of Gnetum, its native area spans from Mizoram and Assam in India down south through Malay Peninsula, Malay Archipelago and the Philippines in southeast Asia to the western Pacific islands.[3] Common names include gnetum, joint fir, two leaf, melinjo/belinjo (Indonesian), bago/lumbay (Filipino), hanthu (Karbi) and tulip (Tok Pisin).[4]
Raw melinjo crackers are sold dry and ready to be fried to create a crunchy, savory snack or to use as an ingredient in recipes like lodeh and sambal goreng. These crackers, which come in a variety of sizes and qualities, including extremely thin crackers or crumbs, are created from melinjo seeds that are crushed till flat and then sun-dried. Because to their high purine content, they should be consumed in moderation and can cost tens of thousands of rupiah per kilogram, depending on size and quality.
