Brazil nuts are a delicious and nutritious snack that many of us enjoy. But have you ever wondered when they are in season?
Understanding the seasonal cycles of these nuts can help us appreciate them even more. In this article, we’ll explore when Brazil nuts are harvested, how they are collected, and the journey they take from the forest to our supermarkets.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the fascinating world of Brazil nuts!
When Are Brazil Nuts In Season
Brazil nuts are harvested during the wet season, which typically falls between January and March. During this time, most of the trees’ fruit has fallen to the forest floor, making it easier for collectors to gather them.
It’s important to note that Brazil nut trees take a long time to produce fruit. According to Moritz (1984), it takes about 15 months for the fruits to develop after they have been set. This means that the majority of Brazil nut fruits fall in January and February, during the rainy season.
Harvest Time: When Brazil Nuts Are Ripe For The Picking
When the Brazil nut fruits are ripe and ready for harvesting, they fall to the ground with a loud crashing sound. This usually happens between November and February, with the majority of fruits falling in January and February. The fruits resemble woody cannonballs and contain roughly 20 seeds or nuts, each individually armored and neatly packed like orange segments.
The harvest season for Brazil nuts typically starts in December and lasts until March, but the last pods can fall as late as April. During this time, thousands of collectors or castaneros make their way to the forest where they will spend the next few months collecting fruit. The majority of collection takes place along the tri-border regions of Acre, Brazil, Pando, Bolivia, and Madre de Dios, Peru. It is a crucial source of income for many local communities.
The collectors use machetes to extract the seeds from the fruit, then carry them out of the forest and transport them via boat along the main river circuits. The seeds are then taken to urban processing plants where they are hand-shelled, packaged, and internationally exported.
It’s worth noting that Brazil nut trees can only grow in primary forests where an indigenous species of bee has evolved to pass through successive layers of foliage to pollinate the flowers on the highest branches. This means that Brazil nut harvesting is not only a source of income for local communities but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.
The Collection Process: How Brazil Nuts Are Gathered From The Wild
Brazil nut collectors, also known as castaneros, make their journey to the forest during the wet season to begin the collection process. The majority of collection takes place along the tri-border regions of Acre, Brazil, Pando, Bolivia and Madre de Dios, Peru, where it is a crucial source of income for many local communities.
The Brazil nut fruit is large and has a tough exterior, weighing up to 5 pounds each and similar in appearance to a wooden cannonball. Each fruit contains about 20 nuts which have individual shells that are segmented similar to oranges. Due to the large size of Brazil nut trees, an established tree can drop as many as 300 fruits, which is 6000 seeds per tree.
Collectors harvest Brazil nuts from the forest floor using machetes. The fruits are then cracked open to extract the seeds (nuts), which are individually armoured and neatly packed like orange segments. The seeds are then carried out of the forest and transported via boat along the main river circuits, arriving – often days later – at urban processing plants where they are hand shelled, packaged and internationally exported.
The harvesting of Brazil nuts is not an easy task. If the nuts fall from the trees, they are so heavy they could kill someone. The collectors gather the nuts, crack them open, and then haul up to 110-pound loads out of the jungle.
Attempts to grow Brazil nut trees outside the Amazon, such on plantations have been largely unsuccessful since the tree requires certain species of bees to pollinate the flowers in order to produce fruit. Brazil nut trees continue to grow with the help of a unique rodent, the South American agouti. The agouti breaks apart the hard Brazil nut shells and after eating, buries some of the remaining seeds helping to continue Brazil nut trees reproduction.
From Forest To Market: The Journey Of Brazil Nuts
The journey of Brazil nuts from the forest to the market is a remarkable one, involving many people and processes. The majority of Brazil nuts in the UK are actually harvested in Bolivia, not Brazil, where they are a crucial source of income for many rural communities.
During the wet season, thousands of collectors known as castaneros make their way to the forest, where they will spend the next few months collecting fruit. The collectors harvest Brazil nuts by cutting open the woody cannonball-like fruits with machetes. Each fruit contains roughly 20 seeds (nuts) which are individually armoured and neatly packed like orange segments. An established tree can produce up to 300 fruits, meaning collectors can harvest some 6000 seeds per tree.
Once the seeds are extracted from the fruit, they are carried out of the forest and transported via boat along the main river circuits, arriving – often days later – at urban processing plants where they are hand-shelled, packaged, and internationally exported.
At the processing plants, the nuts undergo a three-stage drying process before being sterilized using steam in a giant autoclave. Once sterile, the nuts are then cracked in a giant machine that separates the shelled kernel from the outer shell. The shelled kernel is then subject to several manual screenings, two of which take place under ultraviolet light in which damaged, rotten or fungus-infected nuts are discarded. The result is pristine nuts vacuum-packed and shipped to the UK.
It’s worth noting that attempts to grow Brazil nuts in plantations have been almost impossible due to their reproductive triangle. The pollinator bees that fertilize Brazil nut trees depend on an orchid that grows high up in the canopy but not on Brazil nut trees. This dependence has ensured that the Brazil nuts we buy are harvested from wild trees growing in intact tropical rainforest.
The Benefits Of Eating Brazil Nuts: Why They’re A Nutritional Powerhouse
Brazil nuts are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with beneficial nutrients and minerals that can support your overall health. These tree nuts are native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru and have a smooth, buttery texture and nutty flavor that makes them a favorite among many.
One of the most significant benefits of eating Brazil nuts is their high concentration of selenium, a trace mineral that plays a vital role in proper body function. Selenium is essential for regulating your thyroid gland and keeping your immune system functioning at its best. Higher levels of selenium can help strengthen your immune system and improve outcomes with various health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, infections, and infertility. Eating just two Brazil nuts a day can help to maintain or increase your selenium intake as effectively as a supplement.
Brazil nuts are also high in monounsaturated fats, which are healthy fats that can improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. The dietary fiber in Brazil nuts can also help to lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, studies show that the selenium in Brazil nuts can help to lower insulin levels and boost insulin sensitivity, improving blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Brazil nuts contain several antioxidants, including vitamin E and phenols, which can help to fight free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in your body. Lowering inflammation can help to reduce your risk of various health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Furthermore, Brazil nuts have calcium and magnesium, both of which are necessary for bone health. A 1-ounce serving of Brazil nuts has about 25% to 33% of your recommended daily dose of magnesium, which plays an important role in bone density. More magnesium can lead to higher bone density.
Finally, the antioxidants in Brazil nuts, including selenium, can help to boost brain health. Some research also shows that increasing your selenium intake can help to improve your mood.
Enjoying Brazil Nuts Year-Round: Tips For Storing And Using Them In Recipes
Brazil nuts are a delicious and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed year-round. However, due to their high fat content, it’s important to store them properly to prevent spoilage. Here are some tips for storing and using Brazil nuts in recipes:
1. Store them in a cool, dry place: Brazil nuts, like all nuts, are sensitive to heat, light, and humidity. To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place such as the refrigerator or freezer. Shelled Brazil nuts can also be stored in a cool, dark cupboard for up to six months.
2. Check for rancidity: Before using Brazil nuts in recipes or eating them as a snack, check for signs of rancidity such as a bitter taste or a smell similar to old paint or nail polish remover. If the nuts are rancid, discard them immediately.
3. Use them in recipes: Brazil nuts can be used in a variety of recipes, from baked goods to savory dishes. They add a rich, nutty flavor and are a great source of protein and healthy fats. Some popular recipes include Brazil nut milk, fruit cakes with Brazil nuts, and pesto made with Brazil nuts instead of pine nuts.
4. Buy organic: If you’re concerned about chemicals and pesticides, opt for organic Brazil nuts. They’re grown without the use of harmful chemicals and are typically fresher than conventionally grown nuts.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the delicious taste and health benefits of Brazil nuts year-round. Just remember to store them properly and check for spoilage before using them in recipes or as a snack.