Brazil Nut

Bertholletia excelsa

Physical Characteristics

Bertholletia excelsa is an evergreen Tree growing to 40 m (131ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

North and western S. America - Brazil, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Edible portion: Nut, Oil, Flavouring. Seed - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, the nuts are a common item of food, eaten raw and also roasted, salted or used in ice cream etc[ 301 ]. The nuts are very nutritious, containing roughly 66% fat or oil, 17% protein and 7% carbohydrate[ 63 ]. The ripe fruit is a wooden capsule weighing up to 750g and containing 12 - 24 angular brown seed, each about 5cm long and 2.5cm wide[ 63 , 418 ]. An oil is obtained from the seed[ 301 ]. The fresh-pressed oil is pale yellow, almost odourless, with a pleasant nutty flavour[ 63 ]. It is not unlike almond oil in composition[ 63 ]. It can be used like olive oil[ 63 ]. Nuts have a high level of selenium. They are also high in sulphur containing amino acids.

Medicinal Uses

Skin The bark of the tree is used as a treatment for liver problems[ 303 ]. The sweet oil from the seeds is applied to burns[ 348 ]. A tea made from the fruit is used as a treatment for gastralgia[ 739 ]. Nuts have a high level of selenium. They are also high in sulphur containing amino acids.

Known Hazards

Nuts from trees growing on barium-rich soils can accumulate up to 0.29% barium and should be avoided due to danger of barium toxicity[ 324 ].