Mysterious Amazon forest holds a unique plant species namely Brazil nuts that can’t be found any other place on earth. Although most people call them nuts due to its brown nut-like casings but these are technically seeds.
Native Amazon tribal people cherished on these delicious nuts since ages and in turn these seed provides them fats, protein along with other essential nutrients.
Brazil nuts trees are superb illustrations of complex web-interdependence which is a unique characteristic of the rain forest. The trees produce a coiled flower that can’t be penetrated by most pollinators except one rare species of bees. Therefore, Brazil nuts are only produced in the rain forest of Amazon.
In a growing season each tree bears up to 300 fruit pods. In nature, Brazil nut has a thick outer shell that resembles coconut and may weigh up to 1.5-2.5 kg.
Each fruit pod features 10-25 kernels that are arranged in internal segments. Each kernel is encased within thick brown shell. The edible meaty kernel has nutty flavor & weigh about 5 gm.
Brazil nuts are a great addition to the vegetarian diet considering the fact that it has a high protein source. The irony is they can easily go rancid due to the presence of high protein & fat content.
Along with the protein rich kernel Brazil nuts are also pressed to yield creamy and flavorful oil. The oil can be used in cooking purpose and also applied in the lubricant production industry.
In several traditional medicinal applications Brazil nut’s oil is used as an emollient. This property helps to keep the human skin moisturized in every season. The oil is sometimes rare to find however, the nuts are readily available in the world market.
Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium, magnesium thiamine and phosphorus. At the same time these nuts contain abundant dietary fiber.
For instance, only 28gm Brazil nuts contain near about 190 calories among which protein content is 4 gm, sugar and fiber contents are 1 & 2 gm respectively.
Furthermore, if you consume just one Brazil nut everyday you may fulfill your daily need of phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium and manganese by 20%, 8%, 15%, 25% and 78% respectively.
Brazil nuts are available for purchase in roasted, salted and raw form. As mentioned earlier, these nuts are highly perishable items if exposed to air, direct sunlight or humidity due to the presence of polyunsaturated fats.
Purchase these nuts when it is brown in color and feel compact & heavy in hand. Stay away from shriveled ones as they might be affected by fungal mold. The best way to preserve them for longer period is to put nuts in air-tight bags and place inside the refrigerator.
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