Brazilian nut

Brazil nuts are not inherently nuts. This is the name of the tree and the fruits of this tree, which grows exclusively in the forests and plantations of South America.

Other names for this plant:

• bertoletiya high;
• American walnut;
• Barthollesia excels;
• Bertholletia nobilis.

The nut (fruit) itself is also called "chestnut from Para".

This tree is the only representative of its genus Bertholletia or Bertholetium, belonging to the Lecitis family. It grows mainly in the wild in the humid forests of the northern countries of South America. Trees grown on plantations produce fewer fruits, which is why they are not cultivated much.

The Brazil nut tree has the following external characteristics:

This is a very tall tree. Brazil nut trunks can reach up to 30-45 meters in height. They are 1-2 meters in diameter. The trunk of the tree is very long and straight, up to ¾ of the height there are no branches.

Then, unexpectedly, a very regular, rounded crown with long dense branches unfolds. Due to this property, this tree can be easily found among other trees, as it is located very high above other trees.

Bertholium high roots are grayish and smooth.

The leaves of this tree are large, oblong in shape with crenate and solid edges.They reach a length of 25-35 cm, a width of 10-15 cm. In winter (in July) and during the dry season, the leaves fall off.

It blooms in spring, and at once during the day. The flowers consist of 6 petals with a deep cup and many stamens. There are gray-green, light yellow, cream colors. Only a certain type of bee can pollinate, which has a long trunk, and they are found exclusively in the jungle. For this reason, the Brazil nut tree is little cultivated.

The fruit of the Brazil nut is often compared to an oval box with a lid or a coconut. They reach 15 cm in diameter. It can weigh about 2 kg. Inside the "pot" are nuts with shells, the size of an orange slice. Their number varies from 12 to 24 pieces. Fruit ripening begins immediately after flowering. This happens within 12-15 months, i.e. during a year. This is due to the thickness (up to 12 mm) of the "bowler". Then the ripe fruits fall to the ground.

Some are of the opinion that there is another species of the genus Bertholletia - Bertholletia nobilis Miers, but not everyone supports this statement, and attribute it to the synonymy of high Bertholletia.

Today it can be found in the territories:

• Guyana;
• Brazil;
• Bolivia;
• Venezuela;
• Colombia;
• Peru.

And also some samples grow on the coastal parts of the rivers:

• Amazons;
• Rio Negro;
• Orinoco.

In a cultivated form, it grows on the islands of Trinidad and Sri Lanka.

Harvesting takes place around January-February. First, the coconut fruits are harvested. Nuts are obtained from them by sawing off the upper part of the pot. The shell of the nuts is also hard, similar to the shell of walnuts, so it is impossible to get rid of them manually.They are separated in different ways: by sawing, breaking, cutting, etc., and only after that you can enjoy delicious nut kernels.

Nuts in the shell can be stored for a long time, and without the shell, storage should be carried out only in the refrigerator, otherwise the nuts will go rancid due to the vegetable oil, which is abundant in the kernels.

For those who know English well, we advise you to watch the following video about the brazil nut harvesting process.

The largest suppliers of chestnuts from Para are the countries of South America. Their approximate annual yield:

1. Bolivia - 39,080 tons;
2. Brazil - 28,244 tons;
3. Côte d'Ivoire - 9,464 tons;
4. Peru - 300 tons.

In Russian cities, Brazil nuts can only be bought shelled. Often they are fried or salted. In this case, you need to choose nuts with a brown color of a smooth texture.

The price of Bertoletia fruits is not cheap. This is due to several factors:

• Cultivated Bertoletia trees on plantations bring a very insignificant harvest. And wild trees grow scattered and in order to collect the entire crop of nuts, you need to go around all the areas where these trees grow.
• Despite the fact that the process of collecting nuts is laborious, the local workers themselves receive very little. The main margin on the cost of goods is formed due to processing, transportation by intermediaries, suppliers, wholesalers and retailers. Therefore, reaching the buyer, the price of 100-200 grams of nuts is quite high.

You can buy Brazil nuts wholesale and retail:

• On the websites of online stores.
• In fruit and vegetable shops.

The fruit and tree of the American walnut have the following characteristics:

• The nectar of Bertholium high flowers is very sweet.
• The trunks of the high beetle are made of dense, durable wood. Well survives machining and polishing. Painted pale brown on the outside and chocolate purple on the inside.
• The weight of a mature whole fruit reaches up to 2 kg.
• Brazil nuts contain a radioactive substance called radium. Its content is thousands of times greater than in other foods. This is due to the highly branched root system.
• Brazil nuts are much more nutritious and tastier than coconuts and macadamia. They can replace named nuts in cooking.
• It is a valuable source of selenium.
• Bertoletiya high is a perennial tree that has been growing for over 500 years.

When using Bertoletia high nuts, it is necessary to take into account the fact that:

• The energy value of 100 grams of Brazil nuts is between 650-700 calories.
• The product is very rich in fats. About 70% of nuts are fats.
• 1 nut contains 26.24 calories. It is better to eat it raw, in the first half of the day.

Contains Brazil Nuts:

• 14 grams of proteins;
• 66 grams of fat, of which 15.1 grams are saturated, 24.6 grams are monounsaturated, and 20.6 grams are polyunsaturated.
• 2.3 grams of disaccharides;
• approximately 0.62 mg of vitamin B1, thiamine;
• 376 mg magnesium;
• about 1917 micrograms of selenium.

Brazil nuts have the following health benefits:

1. Prevents aging of skin and brain cells.
2. Moisturizes the skin.
3. Makes bones, nails and teeth healthier and stronger.
4. Reduces cholesterol levels.
5. It is a powerful preventive remedy for cancer and many other serious diseases.
6. It quickly satisfies hunger and saturates the body with useful substances.
7. Can control pressure.
8. Eliminates stress during women's critical days.

You can learn more about the beneficial properties of Brazil nuts from the program "Live Healthy".

If Brazil nuts are abused in their quantity, this can lead to negative consequences:

1. Brazil nuts are a very high-calorie, high-fat food. Within 24 hours it is enough to eat 2 nuts that will saturate your body with the necessary portion of vitamins and nutrients. Excessive consumption can harm your health.
2. Bertholletia nuts contain radioactive substances such as radium and barium.
3. Aflatoxins are found in their shells, which contribute to the development of liver cancer.

1. Individual intolerance.
2. Tendency to allergic reactions.
3. Contraindicated in people with high blood pressure.

A very useful oil is produced from the walnut kernels of Bertholium high. The oil extraction method is cold pressing. This oil is light, transparent, tasty, has a delicate smell. It is mainly added in the production of perfumery and cosmetic products. In addition, this oil is added in the preparation of dishes of different peoples and as an effective therapeutic and prophylactic agent in medicine.

The composition of American nut oil is rich in such acids as: linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic. They are a source of such vitamins as: E, A and D. They contain valuable minerals: calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, magnesium; as well as alpha, beta, delta and gamma tocopherols.

In the kitchen:

1. They serve salads.
2. It is added to boiled vegetables and other hot dishes.
3. They bake flour products and make various types of sweets.

The role of brazil nut oil in medical practice:

1. Chestnut oil from Par contains a lot of vitamin E, which promotes hydration and rapid healing of wounds and scars on the skin. For this purpose, it is applied to the required places on the skin, areas of various skin diseases and burns.
2. Phytostyrenes of American nuts have an excellent anti-inflammatory effect, neutralize free radicals, thereby inhibiting the aging of cells in the body.
3. It treats various skin inflammations and diseases caused by infections.

1. For the purpose of moisturizing, you can apply the oil itself to the skin or add it to creams, tonics and lotions.
2. To improve the condition of the hair, various hair and scalp care products are made from this oil: masks, conditioners and shampoos.
3. From this oil, you can make a cosmetic product at home.
4. It can be added to purchased cosmetics, while the oil should not exceed 3-10% of the total volume.
5. This oil is indispensable for body and head massage. It has a very beneficial effect on the psycho-emotional state of a person, as well as on his skin, head and hair health.

• Treats male infertility.
• Reduces the risk of prostate disease, and especially cancer.
• It has a beneficial effect on men's health in general, due to which it is added to high-quality men's gels, creams and aftershave lotions.

The rejuvenating property of Brazil nuts acts not only on the skin, but also on the entire body as a whole.It is thanks to this property that American nuts bring invaluable benefits to women: they prolong their reproductive age.

Brazilians themselves use nuts in their pure and roasted form. It is used in the preparation of:

• grain bread with nuts;
• muesli bars with braz-nut;
• cakes;
• pies;
• cookies.

Chopped nuts can be used as breading. In this form it is added:

• in desserts;
• in cakes;
• in cakes;
• in ice cream;
• breaded salty snacks;
• meat products.

Brazil nuts occupy an important place among culinary nuts. In general, they are added:

• in baking;
• in confectionery;
• in salads, etc.

Below are a few recipes for preparing dishes with Brazil nuts.

• Put 250 grams of rolled oats, 50 grams of dried coconuts, 15 grams of granulated sugar and 50 grams of pumpkin seeds on a large baking sheet.
• Mix everything with your hands, crushing lumps.
• Sprinkle 100 grams of Brazil nuts.
• Turn on the oven and set to 200 degrees.
• Insert the tray into the oven.
• Stir every 5 minutes. It is necessary that the sugar melts, and the nuts become slightly toasted.
• After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven, transfer the contents to a bowl and let cool.
• Grind 250 grams of dried exotic fruits and put in a bowl.
• Serve with fruit and cold milk or yogurt.

• Cut 3 pcs. brazil nuts into small pieces, dry in a pan without adding oil. Sprinkle a pinch of brown sugar and caramelize the nuts.Once they are ready, transfer them to baking paper and let cool.
• While the nuts are caramelizing, peel 1 onion and chop finely. Fry the chopped onion in olive oil for a while. Add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and table water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. After the dressing has cooled, salt and pepper it.
• Wash 40 grams of arugula, dry and sort.
• Then pour dressing over arugula, mix, decorate with 30 grams of fresh raspberries and nuts.
• Garnish the plate with a dash of balsamic sauce and serve with ciabatta slices.

Therapeutic and prophylactic features of Brazil nuts:

1. Thanks to the flavonoids found in Brazil nuts, the recovery-oxidation processes in the body are supported.
2. Amino acids stimulate the burning of fats in the body.
3. Selenium, contained in nuts, fights against premature aging of the body and stops the development of cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
4. Reduces the risk of heart disease, thanks to alphalinoleic acid.
5. Arginine, which dilates blood channels, improves blood flow.
6. Unsaturated fats help lower blood cholesterol, and also prevent atherosclerosis, cataracts, joint diseases and problems with the central nervous system.
7. Stimulates the growth of fresh cells.
8. Eating Brazil nuts helps to normalize blood sugar levels.
9. May act as an antidepressant.
10. Increases immunity.
11. Normalizes metabolic processes.
12. Brazil nuts support the overall tone and health of the body.
13. The calcium and magnesium contained in them prevent osteoporosis and makes bones strong.
14. Prevents Alzheimer's disease.

Brazil nuts are a real storehouse of selenium. For more information about this, as well as about the use of this nut in medicine, see the next program "About the most important thing."

For the manufacture of such a compress, you can take only the oil of the fruits of Bertoletia high or a mixture of oils. Fatty oil of vegetable origin is suitable for this purpose. The mixture is formed from an equal volume of oils. Add 3-5 drops of essential oils to this mixture. Take a paper towel and dip it in the mixture. Apply once or twice a day to the desired area and leave for half an hour.

Apply warm Brazil nut oil to the scalp. Put on a hat and walk like this for a couple of hours. You can enhance the effect by mixing brazil nut oil with some essential oil (two drops of essential oil for one tablespoon of Bertoletia oil). Apply this mask from the roots to the ends of your hair. This will give your hair strength, shine and health. It is an excellent remedy for owners of dry and damaged hair.

Caring cosmetics can be saturated with Brazil nut oil. To do this, mix 10 drops of oil with 10 gr. creamy mass, with 10 ml. tonic or with 10 ml. lotion.

Mix some butter with the white of one egg. Soak a napkin with the prepared mixture and apply to the place where the burn was received. This mixture is also suitable for sunburn. To do this, apply a mask on the burnt places.

Despite the fact that Brazil nuts are a high-calorie product, some nutritionists advise them when losing weight. So, they can provide the body with all the important trace elements and a daily dose of such a valuable substance as selenium.

Another useful property for people who decide to lose weight is that they contain amino acids that help dissolve fat cells.

In everyday life, nuts and high bertolet oil are used in the following areas:

• In cooking, nuts are used as a breading, added to salads, pastries and desserts.
• In medicine, it is widely used as a means of preventing cancer and other diseases.
• Brazil nut oil is used in the production of perfumes.
• In pharmaceuticals, based on extracts from the nuts of this tree, preparations are made that improve blood clotting.
• Brazil nut oil is used as a watch lubricant.
• Artistic paints are also made from oil.
• As a very useful and quickly satiating product, it is often used by athletes who seek to build muscle and properly restore the body after exercise.

You can learn a lot of interesting information about the Brazil nut from the TV show "1000 and 1 Spice of Scheherazade".

The Brazil nut germinates well and yields only in virgin rainforests. Trees grown on plantations are unproductive and financially disadvantageous.

It is impossible to grow such a tree at home, and even more so not in the tropics, since the high beetroot sprouts exclusively from nuts with a peel.It is difficult to find nuts with a peel, because due to the carcinogens contained in the shell, a ban has been imposed on the export of nuts with a peel.

Even if you find nuts with skins and you can grow a sprout, you are unlikely to be able to provide the necessary conditions for its growth:

• Tropical climate.
• Greenhouse about 50 meters high.
• Composition of solid tropical soil.
• Flora of South American forests.
• And a whole swarm of orchid bees that can pollinate them.

Brazil nuts are a valuable product not only for humans, but also for animals and insects. They get to the nuts through the hole that is on top of the coconuts. Capuchin monkeys break them with stones. Agouti rodents and squirrels, often taking out shelled nuts, eat some, and bury some in the ground. The buried nuts germinate, and in this way a natural replacement of old and dead trees occurs.

The name of the genus Bertholletia is given in honor of one of the scientists of France, Claude Louis Berthollet. He lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Despite the fact that the fruits of Bertoletia high are called Brazil nuts, Bolivia is their main exporter. There she is called almendras. In Brazil itself, the nuts are called castanhas-do-Pará, which means chestnut from Para. They were called cream nuts in ancient times in America.

Bertoletia high is actually a grain, not a nut.