Organic Brazil Nuts (Shelled)

Deep from the Amazon rain forests come these tasty little treats.  Raw, organic, and bursting with flavour, you simply can't go wrong with a handful of Brazil nuts - which just happen to be the best natural food source of the mineral selenium.

Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy mono-unsaturated fats, there is no question that these little miracles of mother nature deserve a spot in your pantry.

Nutritional Information

Here are some of the nutritional highlights of Brazil nuts:

• Excellent source of vitamin E
• High in hearty-healthy mono-unsaturated fatty acids
• Mother natures best source of selenium
• high levels of copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc.

Brazil nuts contains the following nutrients (% Daily Value):  

These highly nutrient dense nuts contain about 197 calories per 30 gram serving, composed of 3.7 grams of carbohydrates, 4.3 grams of protein,  20 grams of fat, and 2.25 grams of fiber.

Health Benefits

Like many other nuts, Brazil nuts contain high levels of heart-healthy fats that can have a positive impact on blood lipid levels.  What makes this nut stand out more than any other nut however, is it's high levels of selenium, a rather powerful mineral that is often difficult to come across in our diets.

Studies show that selenium may have the following health benefits:

• Strengthens the immune system
• Plays a role in proper thyroid function
• Helps remove free radicals from the body
• May decrease risk of certain cancers (1)

Although selenium is considered an important trace mineral, consuming too much can each day can lead to potential health problems.  For this reason, it's important not to consume large quantities of Brazil nuts on a daily basis.

Interesting Facts About Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are actually seeds, but most people consider them to be nuts because of their hard outer shell.  They grow within coconut like capsules on massive 150 foot tall trees that live for up to 700 years, and are found nowhere else on the earth except for Brazil Bolivia, and Peru where they have been staple food source for local natives for centuries.

Storage Tips for Maximum Shelf Life

If not stored properly, Brazil nuts can go rancid quite quickly. Store in an air sealed container away from heat, light and humidity for up to 6 months.

How to Enjoy

Brazil nuts are a tasty, nutritious raw snack.  They can also be roasted, salted, or sweetened.  It is not recommended that these nuts are soaked. Other ways to enjoy:

• Ground Brazil nuts make a great addition to deserts, including cookies, cakes, and brownies
• Excellent in soup and salads
• Add to muffins or pancakes
• Sprinkle on yogurt or cereal