Brazil nut

The Brazil nut , nut of Amazonia or castanhas-C-Pará (in Portuguese) is a nut of a South American tree Bertholletia excelsa of the family of the Lecythidaceae. She pushes in the south-tropical areas of America. Three large countries of South America made their principal production today of it, namely the Brésil, the Peru and the Bolivia. Not very known in our areas and even in Europe, this nut is useful especially out of aperitif and cocktail snack (in its whole form), but also out of edible oil, and profits from great nutritive and medicinal properties. It is particularly rich in Sélénium. This element seems beneficial with small amount, and is not present in many food. One could show that the Brazil nut consumption decreased carcinogenesis mammaire in rats. On the other hand, the Brazil nuts have the disadvantage of being very fatty, and of containing a little Baryum, poison with strong amount. On the whole Brazil nut the occasional consumption would be beneficial, with the proviso of not exceeding one or two almonds per day (no clinical trial supports this assertion).

a Little history

The first historical traces of nut of Amazonia go back to 1569. At that time, a Spanish colonel of the name of Juan Alvarez Maldonado, having intended to say that this nut had very good nutritive functions, had decided to make harvest of it to nourish his troops. In 1633, the first commercial exchanges begin between the Brésil and the Netherlands. Many other exchanges with the European countries throughout the XVIIIe century will be followed from there. In 1810, the exchanges extend to the the United States, the Brésil consequently exporting occasion two other products well-known: the Cocoa and the Cashew nut. Finally in 1866, the Amazonian river is opened with the international business. Consequently, the production of nut of Amazonia very quickly becomes vital for the country and its small producers. Besides nowadays, this one remains one of the most important products of the local economy.

Harvest

Inside these hulls trigonal seeds with the arrises are, variable between 15 and 30 seeds according to the size of the envelope. These seeds form a new envelope around nut of Amazonia. A seed can thus contain between 12 and 18 nuts. The nut is it also protected by a shell from color grisâtre, a little with the manner of an almond, and is approximately 5 cm long. Inside finally an almond hides, of a beautiful white porcelain. The fruits mature in November, but harvest starts only in January to finish in March. This one is done on wild trees, and like formerly, harvest is done always manually by collecting the fallen bugs with ground. Those are then opened with the machete and on the spot to withdraw from them the nuts, which will be dried thereafter with the sun. Throughout all harvest, the Amerindian often leave with their family because each one contributes to the collecting of nuts. Those work closest to the walnut trees, building their huts on the spot, because they will return in their village only once all the collected fruits.

Use

Some beneficial properties

This nut has several medicinal properties, which will satisfy certainly the followers of the remedies of grandmothers and those of the natural products. Between-other, the nut of Amazonia has emollient virtues , Analgésique, Diurétique and Antispasmodique. She is recommended to look after the evils of stomach.

food uses of nut of Amazonia

The nut of Amazonia can be tasted such as it is, its taste pointing out that of hazel nut. It can also be roasted, with the manner of peanut, added with salt or nature, and is also often used in the desserts, in particular in the ice creams. Lastly, one can also find it out of plant oil.

The nut of Amazonia is very nutritive: its wealth of lipids, glucids and its high content of vitamins and minerals make a diet food of it.

As for the nut oil, this one contains more than 70% of unsaturated fatty-acids, thus making it possible to play a great part in the regulation of the Cholestérol. This one is thus with advising with the people reached of this disease.

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