Brasil nuts

These native nuts, so beneficial to everyone’s health, come from the Amazonian jungle and are difficult to cultivate commercially. As a result, they are harvested from wild groves in Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Thanks to a Spanish military officer—who gave them to his soldiers to boost their energy—we also have them in Europe today. They are mostly picked in the jungles of Guyana and Brazil between November and March, when the growing conditions are ideal. Strangely enough, they remain among the least-used nuts, despite being just as nutritious as any other.

The Brazil nut tree is unique—it can live for over 500 years and bears a type of fruit that contains 8 to 24 nuts within a single shell, weighing between 0.5 and 2.5 kilograms. These fruit "capsules" are collected and dried until the hard outer shell begins to split. The nuts are then extracted, sorted, and shipped across the globe. The largest and most beautiful are sold whole, while the smaller ones are pressed for oil.

Nutritionally, Brazil nuts are incredible. They contain magnesium, calcium, selenium, unsaturated fats, 18% protein, 13% carbohydrates, and around 69% fat. In fact, they have the highest selenium content of any nut—just two Brazil nuts meet the recommended daily intake. Plus, they're also rich in magnesium and thiamine.

Purchase
Make sure the nuts are well dried. If possible, test for a fresh, nutty aroma—avoid any that smell musty or stale.

Store
In an airtight container in a dark, cool place for 2–4 weeks. In the fridge, they can last up to 9 months. If left open or exposed to damp, they will go rancid quickly.