Brazil Nuts

History

The Bertholletia excelsa, commonly known as Brazil nut or Amazon nut (trade name Brazil Nut) is sourced from the large fruits of a huge tree belonging to the family of the Lecythidaceae, which grows widely in every tropical region, although the larger part of the species is to be found in the neotropics (tropical region of Central and South America), and most notably in the Amazon basin.  

The name of the species, in honour of the French scientist Claude-Louis Berthollet, was first published in 1807 by two botanists, Humboldt and Bonpland, in Plantaeaequinoctiales. In 1874, Miers, in Trans. Linn. SoC. London, presented it instead under the name Bertholletianobilis. Export of Brazil nuts began in the seventeenth century with Dutch merchants. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Amazon nut was exported through two ports of the Pará, which is why it was originally known as Castanha-do-Pará. Only later did the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture give it the name of Castanha-do-Brasil, or Brazil nut. From 1818 it began to be the most important product exported from Pará and, after 1847, its commercialization acquired appreciable economic value. However, export statistics only mention it from 1899 onwards. The Castanha-do-Pará, used in the diet of the indigenous peoples and of small domestic pets, became one of the primary sources of income of this region, giving employment to a great number of workers both in the forest and in the cities. 

Despite its trade name of Brazil Nut, the leading global producer is Bolivia, where it is grown in the Departments of Beni and Pando. The world's two largest processing plants are located in the cities of Riberalta and Cobija. In South America, the forests where the Brazil nut grows cover 20 million hectares. In Peru, the area of production is estimated to be around 1.8 million hectares, concentrated in the eastern part of the Department of Madre di Dios. 30% of the population of this region makes its living from this trade. The business volumes generated by the export of Brazil nuts — which started in the seventeenth century thanks to Dutch merchants — is second in the Amazon only to that of rubber. 

Source: 

Nutspaper "Brazil Nut" 2/2009 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_nut  

The advice provided SHOULD IN NO WAY BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE OR PRESCRIPTION. The information provided shall be considered for informative and educational purposes only, it is not intended to replace medical advice. In case of a medical condition, always consult your doctor. 

Selection

Brazil nuts online

We want to nurture your love for Brazil nuts. Among many Brazil nuts available to buy, as nut experts we have selected Brazil nuts that are grown with respect for our supply chain.

Where to buy Brazil nuts?

Brazil nuts are only to be found on our online nut shop and nowhere else offline. This is the only way we can provide you with quality, Brazil nuts from our supply chain, available in large packs at an affordable price.

Properties

According to our analyses, 100 g of Brazil nuts contain:

• Iron (2.7 mg – 19% NRV)
• Calcium (156 mg – 20% NRV)
• Potassium (582 mg – 29% NRV)
• Zinc (4.3 mg – 43% NRV)
• Vitamin E (5.3 mg – 44% NRV)
• Thiamine (0.63 mg – 57% NRV)
• Manganese (1.2 mg – 60% NRV)
• Phosphorus (665 mg – 95% NRV)
• Magnesium (371 mg – 99% NRV)
• Copper (1.8 mg – 180% NRV)
• Selenium (225 µg - 409% NRV)
• Fibre (8.4 g)
• Unsaturated fatty acids (49 g) and oleic acid (21 g)
• Linoleic acid (27 g)

Please note that Brazil nuts are included in the list of allergens (Annex 2 Reg. No. 1169/2011 and as amended and extended.)

Dose recommendations

Each pack of 1 kg of Brazil nuts contains about 34 portions of 30 g that provide: 

• 124% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Selenium; 
• 54% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Copper; 
• 30% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Magnesium

 
Individual needs will vary according to age, gender, weight and physical activity. A varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are the basis of your well-being. 

Affordable price

How much does 1 kg of Brazil nuts cost?

The price per kg for Brazil nuts depends on the Brazil nuts' quality, variety and origin. On Nuturally, we have selected the best Brazil nuts with respect for our supply chain, farmers, and raw materials.

Storage

You can store Brazil nuts in cool, dry places away from heat and moisture. Here are 4 useful tips: 

• The ideal way to store Brazil nuts is in a refrigerated environment. Nuturally Brazil nuts can also be stored at room temperature during the winter season due to low temperatures. During summer, however, it is advisable to store the product in the refrigerator or in the coolest possible environment, as increased temperatures could encourage decay. 
• The ideal container for the storage of Brazil nuts is glass. Indeed, because of its composition it is impervious to chemical agents and gases, and, as it has excellent insulation properties, it holds the initial temperature for longer than other materials. It is even better if the glass is coloured: using coloured glass blocks the entry of certain wavelengths of light (including ultraviolet), and thus certain nutritional and organoleptic characteristics remain unaltered.  
• The type of closure of the container is also important as an airtight cap ensures that the food is protected from excessive contact with oxygen that can lead to lipid oxidation and encourage the growth of aerobic bacteria. 
• The best kind of storage environment is one which is well ventilated because ventilating the premises keeps internal humidity under control, which otherwise could escape from windows, thereby guaranteeing the right balance to lessen the onset of mould.