A well kept secret, Brazil Nut Butter has a wonderful "sweet" creamy taste, similar to macadamia nuts. Due to it's creamy nature, it is easily spreadable and can be used in everything from deserts to salads to stuffing. Brazil nuts originated in Brazil and grow wild in the Amazon forest of South America. The Brazil nut tree can grow to a height of 250 feet and only begins to produce nuts after about 12 years. The Brazil nut is enclosed in a hard dark brown shell and tastes like a coconut. Brazil nuts are the edible seeds of a giant South American tree (Bertholletia excelsa) that grows wild in the Amazon River basin.

USES
Shelled Brazil nuts can be eaten whole as snacks or chocolate covered, as a confection. They can also be sliced, chopped, or ground and used in sweet and savory dishes, such as cookies and cakes or salads and stuffing. Since they have a similar taste, Brazil nuts can replace macadamia nuts as well as coconuts in most recipes. Brazil Nut Butter can be used as a substitute for peanut butter in sandwiches and spreads and in various desserts especially brownies.

NUTRITION
Our nut butter varieties are high in protein, nutrients and unsaturated fats, low in saturated fats, carbs and, of course, no cholesterol or trans fatty acids. In addition, they are important allies in decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Brazil Nut Butter is particularly known for its relatively high content of selenium, an important antioxidant in the fight against heart disease and certain types of cancer. Researchers are studying the role of many vitamins and minerals — such as vitamins C, E and the minerals selenium and zinc — on prostate cancer risk. These vitamins and minerals are antioxidants, substances that slow down oxidation — a natural process that can damage cells. Antioxidants may reduce your risk of prostate cancer by protecting cells from cancer-causing substances. Food is the best source of vitamins and minerals. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes provide a wide variety of nutrients — known and unknown — that may protect your body against disease. Recent studies are showing an association of good selenium intake in the diet with lower rates of prostate cancer.

*Giovannucci, Edward. Selenium and risk of prostate cancer. The Lancet, Vol. 352, September 5, 1998, pp. 755-56

Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium. Some doctors are recommending a few brazilnuts or brazilnut butter as a way to get the selenium for the day. They usually advise 2-3 large or 7-8 mediums. That translates to 1 tablespoon of our brazil nut butter. Some say that selenium is key to preventing depression.
The mineral selenium may help protect some women from developing breast cancer as well, research has suggested. The element, which can be found in brazil nuts may help the body defend itself. Scientists from the University of Illinois believe they may have worked out how selenium interacts with a natural body chemical to offer protection. Selenium is thought to prompt possibly prompt cancer cells to self-destruct, promoting DNA repair and boost immunity. And a little goes a long way. Even two medium nuts contain enough selenium (200 micrograms) to possibly reduce prostate, colon and lung cancers.

Please see our nutrition page for additional information.

ORDERING OPTIONS
Brazil Nut Butter and Brazil Nuts are available in our organic variety. They may be purchased in the following ways:
Nut Butter:
* In 4 ounce jars as part of the Sample Pack
* In individual 9 ounce or 16 ounce jars
* In a Customized Gift Basket

Just Nuts (shelled):
* 8 ounce bag
* 16 ounce bag
* In a Customized Gift Basket