Maya nut changes lives while aiding the rain forest# Erika Vohman teaches women in Central America the value of their native Maya nut # Nutrient-rich

• Erika Vohman teaches women in Central America the value of their native Maya nut
• Nutrient-rich seed grows abundantly in rain forest but many are unaware of it
• With Vohman's help, communities have planted more than 800,000 trees

FLORES, Guatemala (CNN) -- In the rain forests of Central America grows the nutrient-rich Maya nut. The marble-sized seed can be prepared to taste like mashed potatoes, chocolate or coffee. To those who stumble upon the nuts on the ground, they're free for the taking.

The problem, however, is that many people living in areas where the Maya nut grows abundantly don't know about it.