Brazil Nuts

Also indexed as: Cream Nuts, Para Nuts

Brazil nuts can be used in everything from desserts to salads to stuffing.

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Brazil nuts originated in Brazil and grow wild in the Amazon forest of South America. The Brazil nut tree can grow to a height of 250 feet and only begins to produce nuts after about 12 years. The Brazil nut is enclosed in a hard dark brown shell and tastes like a coconut.

Varieties

Brazil nuts are the edible seeds of a giant South American tree (Bertholletia excelsa) that grows wild in the Amazon River basin.

Buying and storing tips

Unshelled Brazil nuts will keep for a few months if stored in a cool, dry place. Once shelled, the nuts must be kept under refrigeration in a tightly sealed container where they will keep for several months.

Availability

While Brazil nuts can only be harvested by hand, in good weather, usually during the month of January, the shelled and unshelled nuts are generally available year-round.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Shelled Brazil nuts can be eaten whole as snacks or covered in chocolate as a confection. They can also be sliced, chopped, or ground and used in sweet and savory dishes, such as cookies and cakes or salads and stuffing. Since they have a similar taste, Brazil nuts can replace macadamia nuts as well as coconuts in most recipes. For ease in opening hard Brazil nut shells, soak the nuts in water and boil them to soften the shell.

Nutritional Highlights

Brazil nuts (unblanched), 6–8 kernels (1 oz. [28g])
Calories: 186
Protein: 4.0g
Carbohydrate: 3.6g
Total Fat: 18.8g
Fiber: 1.5g
*Excellent source of: Selenium (839mcg)
*Good source of: Magnesium (63.8mg), and Thiamine (0.28mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.

Health benefits and concerns

Acrodermatitis enteropathica

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare inherited disorder that results in the inability to absorb adequate amounts of zinc from the diet. Anyone who is severely zinc deficient can develop the symptoms of the inherited form of this disorder. Pumpkin seeds, pecans, and Brazil nuts are all high in zinc. However, people with acrodermatitis enteropathica also need to take zinc supplements.

Cancer (Prostate)

Alpha-linolenic acid is a fatty acid found in many foods. Most, but not all, studies have found that high dietary or blood levels of alpha-linolenic acid correlate with an increased risk of prostate cancer. It is not clear, however, whether this association reflects a cause-effect relationship. Concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid are high in almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, flaxseed, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.

Health benefits and concerns for nuts and seeds
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other nuts and seeds. Read about health benefits and concerns for nuts and seeds for a full description.

The information presented in this website is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications.