“Not just useless bush”: food culture and spontaneous plants in the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais/Brazil

Abstract Food knowledge and practices in the Jequitinhonha Valley are the result of its socio-biodiversity and suffer the impacts of the food homogenization process. This study aims to characterize the food social space and the role of spontaneous plant species in the community of São João da Chapada in Diamantina (Minas Gerais/Brazil) and thereby contribute to strengthening food culture in rural communities. With a qualitative and quantitative approach and participant observation, semi-structured interviews, ethno-botanical walks and culinary demonstrations were performed. Thematic content analysis and descriptive statistics show that the local food social space management is the work of women and has a strong territorial bond. 78 species of spontaneous food plants were identified. They play both nutritional and symbolic roles and are in the culinary culture albeit knowledge of them is greater than their effective use.