Brazil nuts

Brazilian nuts are the fruits of a South American tree called Bertholletia (or Bertholecia, Latin Bertholletia) - plants of the Lecithis family.

Fruits in cooking are considered nuts, because to taste, structure and nutritional properties they are very close to this product group. But in botany, the Brazilian nut is officially considered a grain - its core grows to the shell and is not divided into two halves, like other nuts.

The trees on which Brazil nuts grow are truly unique: they reach a height of about 40-50 m, and the diameter of the trunk often approaches several meters. By age - long-livers: live more than 500 years. Due to the smooth high trunk, the collection of nuts is a very difficult task. A year from one tree collect up to 200 kg of fruit. It is absolutely superfluous to cultivate and specially grow these trees - in the jungle of their growing huge number.

The brazil nut has a thin shell and nutritious flesh that tastes slightly like cedar nuts. It is no wonder that, like the cedar, it is considered an exquisite delicacy.

Composition and useful properties of Brazil nuts

The composition of Brazil nuts includes almost all the necessary substances for a person: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Thanks to a large amount of fats (67 g), they have a high calorie content, reaching 703 kcal. In these nuts a rich set of vitamins: A, E, PP, B vitamins; Ascorbic acid and mineral substances: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium. Contain flavonoids and a lot of amino acids, including irreplaceable and conditionally indispensable, a total of 18 pieces.

Flavonoids are valuable natural substances possessing antioxidant activity, and ensuring effective flow of all redox reactions in the body. For our body, it is preferable to get these substances with food products than to take synthetic vitamins, trying to supplement what we lack in the usual diet. Amino acids contribute to the growth of muscle tissue, promote the normal metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.

Brazil nut is rich in selenium, which protects the body from cancer, radiation, the harmful effects of free radicals and premature aging. Due to the high content of selenium and other active substances, it has an anti-carcinogenic effect on tissues and cells. Brazil nut strengthens sexual function and helps from infertility. He is a strong aphrodisiac.

In the kitchens around the world, there are many recipes for preparing dishes using Brazil nuts - vypeca, muffins, confectionery, chocolate, ice cream, cakes and so on. They are also added to salads, making sauces from them to meat and vegetable dishes. Brazil nut oil is successfully used in both cosmetology and cooking.