Buy shelled Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts have high season, especially at Christmas time. The fruit, which comes from the tropical rainforests of South America, is also known under the names 'Amazon almond', 'Brazilian chestnut' and 'Brazilian nut'. As a rule, these nuts can only be bought shelled. Due to the nature of the skin of this fruit, the EU Commission issued strict requirements regarding the import of Brazil nuts.
Interesting facts about Brazil nuts
- As already mentioned, the high season in which you can buy these nuts is the Christmas season. Brazil nuts are the seeds of the Brazil nut tree, which grows exclusively in the wild and can reach a height of up to 60 m. In a capsule fruit, which is similar to a coconut, there are around 20 to 40 fan-shaped seeds, the Brazil nuts.
- The nuts themselves consist of an almond-shaped core and a hard shell. They are made up of around 20% polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition to the high fat content, the Brazil nut has high-quality proteins and the trace element selenium. These fruits can be enjoyed pure as well as Pastries, cake and Pies refine.
- It can take about ten years for the Brazil nut trees to bear fruit for the first time. After this time, the harvest is relatively abundant with up to 8,000 nuts per year. Due to the nature of the trees, because of their thin trunks, you have to wait for the rainy season, because then the ripe fruits fall down. This, in turn, can be very dangerous, as these can weigh up to 3 kg and can become dangerous projectiles from heights between 50 and 60 meters.
What to consider when buying shelled nuts
- The European Commission has imposed strict requirements on the import of Brazil nuts from Brazil since 2003. The reason for this is the aflatoxin contained in the shell of the nuts, a possibly carcinogenic fungus. Aflatoxins belong to the naturally occurring fungus toxins, the so-called mycotoxins, which have been found in some types of mold.
- This aflatoxin is found in Brazil nuts or their shell was found to be in a concentration many times higher than that permitted by the European Union. However, since most Brazilian producers do not have the appropriate options, the Trade in Brazil nuts has meanwhile decreased significantly, so that it is relatively difficult to buy them.
- However, the risk of buying Brazil nuts contaminated with this mushroom poison in Germany is relatively low. Because the nuts are not only checked for possible infestation in the exporting countries, but also when they arrive in Germany. If you want to be on the safe side, you should pay attention to the smell and taste of these nuts. If the taste is bitter or musty, or if the nuts are discolored, it is better to dispose of them.
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