Brazil Nuts

Overview

Hailing from verdant jungles on the banks of the Amazon river: a big nut.

Brazil nuts are actually the seeds of a fruit that looks much like a coconut. Inside the woody casing of the Brazil nut fruit, tough-shelled seeds are arranged much like the segments of an orange. When ripe, the bowling ball-like fruits fall to the ground, at which point they are collected.

But beware – Brazil nut collection has its perils! The combination of the weight of the hard fruit (about 4 lbs) and the height from which it falls (trees can reach up to 160 feet) makes for a dangerous, and potentially fatal, blow to an ill-placed victim.

Interestingly, the Brazil nut is the only internationally traded seed crop that is wild. Brazil nuts are typically grown in the wild (rather than farmed), because their survival depends on a few specific species of bees capable of pollinating the tree’s flowers. And the survival of the bees depends on the presence of a specific orchid. Further, most new Brazil nut trees are planted by the rodents that favor Brazil nuts as part of their diet. After consuming their share of nuts, they bury the rest in the ground for later use. Years later, forgotten food stashes turn into Brazil nut trees.

This is an ecosystem in action, folks.

The Brazil nut is native to South America. The world’s current prime producer of Brazil nuts is Bolivia, followed closely by Brazil.

Identification

In their hard shell, Brazil nuts look impenetrable and nearly prehistoric, like a fossilized animal dropping or an elephant toenail. The textured shells are deep brown and have three ridged edges.

Crack the nut open, and you will discover a large, smooth, oblong nut (technically a seed). The nut is ivory-colored and typically has large patches of a thin, reddish-brown skin, which is edible. Brazil nuts taste slightly sweet and oily, with subtle notes of earth, and a good crunch.

Nutrition Info

One ounce of Brazil nuts (about 6 kernels) has 187 calories, 4.1g of protein, 19.0g of fat, 3.3g of carbohydrates, 2.1g of fiber, and 0.7g of sugar. Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and are a good source of vitamin B1, manganese, zinc, and vitamin E.

Note that even a small amount of Brazil nuts make for a therapeutic dose of selenium: Two nuts contain approximately 100 micrograms of selenomethionine, a highly absorbable form of selenium. However, selenium toxicity is possible so it is best not to exceed consuming 6-8 nuts per day for long periods of time.

Selection

Brazil nuts can be found in most good grocery stores, health food stores, or bulk food stores, in a variety of forms: shelled or unshelled; dry/oil roasted or raw; salted or unsalted. Rarely, you may find them covered in chocolate or ground into a nut butter.

Your best option in terms of freshness and nutrition are unsalted, raw Brazil nuts, either shelled or unshelled. Shop at stores with high product turnover and, in the case of bulk food stores, covered bins.

If buying unshelled nuts, choose nuts that look plump and pale. Shriveling and yellowing are signs of old age.

If buying shelled nuts, choose nuts that have even, deep brown shells and that don’t rattle when shaken – this is a sign of a fully formed nut. Shelled nuts are more seasonal than unshelled nuts and are typically found only around the time of the Brazil nut harvest, in late fall/early winter.

Because of their high oil content, Brazil nuts are prone to rancidity. If you can, ask to sample the product. If the nut tastes bitter or moldy, or smells musty, take a pass. Bonus points if the store keeps them in the fridge.

Storage

Unshelled Brazil nuts should be kept in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container, where they will last one to two months.

Shelled Brazil nuts can be kept in the fridge, freezer, or in a cool, dry, dark cupboard, where they will keep four to six months.

Preparation

Brazil nuts, once removed from their shell, can be eaten as is, or chopped up to top over salad or cooked porridges.

If you have purchased shelled nuts, use a nutcracker to crack them open. Unless you are the Hulk, in which case you can use your hands. Or if you are very skilled at psychokinesis, in which case you can use your mind.

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Related Foods

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  Pine Nuts
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  Pecans
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