What is Brazil Nut, How Is It Grown?
Brazil nut is also known as Bertholletia excelsa. It is intensely seen in the Amazon region of South America and is a unique food to this region. It is mostly found on the river banks in the Amazon region. In addition to Brazil, it is also grown in countries such as Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.
Although it is grown in these countries, the country with the highest export share is Bolivia. It is a very useful food in terms of the nutritional values it contains. However, it is not recommended to eat more than 5-6 grains per day due to the density of the nutritional values it contains.
In North America in the 1970s, this nut variety was also called "Negro toe", but the use of this name began to decline due to the disapproval of this racist rhetoric. Despite its name, Brazil nut, in Brazil this nut is called Portuguese castanhas-do-pará, or Pará chestnut.
Properties of Brazil Nuts
The bark of theBrazil nut is gray in color and smooth. It takes approximately 14 months for the fruit to mature after pollination. The ripening fruit is quite large compared to other types of nut or fruit. The approximate size of the fruit is 10-15 cm in diameter, and its weight is 2.3 kilograms.
It is very similar in shape to a coconut. On average, there are 8-24 distinct seeds together in its solid shell. These are one of the types of nuts called Brazil nuts. These delicious walnuts will enliven your luxurious mixed nut plates.
If you want to taste the Brazilian walnut, buy it now.
Characteristics of the Brazil Nut Tree
This nut variety tree, which is famous for its name, is approximately 150 meters. Because the tree is so large and large, the cutting of the tree is prohibited by the authorities. Because it is one of the largest trees in the Amazon Rainforest, this Brazil nut tree is respected and protected by people.
These trees, which can live for approximately 500 years, are generally found on river banks. According to some sources, this tree can live up to 1000 years old. The root of the tree is more than half its height.
This tree, which produces the Brazil nut, loves the rain and does not need any maintenance. Brazil nut trees shed their leaves during the dry season. The flowers are born in panicles, which have multiple stamens shaped like a bipartite deciduous calyx, petal, and capped mass.
Production of Brazil Nuts in the World
Brazil nut, no matter how much Brazil is in its name, the place where Brazil nut is produced mostly in the world is Bolivia. Bolivia produces 47% of Brazil nuts produced in the world. Name owner Brazil, on the other hand, produces of the total Brazilian walnut production. The USA, on the other hand, is the largest importer of Brazil nuts in the world, although it produces 9% of the total production.
How to Grow Brazil Nuts?
Trying to grow your own Brazil nuts instead of buying from the growers is difficult and requires some patience, but if you succeed, it will be well worth all your efforts. You shouldn't buy Brazil nut seeds from a mixed nut bag because you won't be able to reproduce them there.
Obtain Brazil nut seeds from nurseries. The seed must be absolutely raw. Soak the seed in water for 24 hours to soften the seed's outer shell. After 24 hours, pour out the water and rinse the seeds. Soak and rinse the seeds repeatedly every 8 hours until they sprout.
After the seed has sprouted, fill the nutrient-rich potting soil into the clear glass and make a hole in the middle of the soil and push the seed in. Cover it, allowing the sprouting end to enter the soil. Moisten the soil and keep it moist. Cover the container with gauze or cheesecloth and secure it tightly with a rubber band. Place the container in a warm area with indirect sunlight and check for growth and dryness.
When the seedling is 6-12 inches (15-30 cm.) tall, plant it in an area of high humidity with full sun, well-draining soil, and warm tropical temperatures.
Nutritional Value of Brazil Nuts
Brazil nut is very rich in nutritional value. It is one of the nuts with the richest nutritional value among the nuts. Brazil nut consists of 14% protein, 12% carbohydrates, and 66% fat. There are approximately 656 calories in 100 grams of Brazil nuts. 85% of its calories are from fat.
Fat components # consist of saturated, 38% unsaturated, and 32% polyunsaturated fats. Due to its polyunsaturated fat content and omega-6 fatty acids, Brazil nuts in a shell can harden quickly.
