BRAZIL NUT TREE (BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA)

Description

Although Brazil nuts are technically seeds, not nuts, their brown nut-like casings have led most people to call them nuts. Produced by a South American tree in virgin rain forests, they are an extremely popular food in many Latin American nations, and indeed in the rest of the world having a rich, creamy flavour. In nature, Brazil nuts develop inside a large capsule rather like a coconut, which, if cut open, reveals a number of three-sided nuts. In good growing conditions in the tropics, the tree can reach heights of 150 feet, so plant it carefully!

Sowing Advice

These seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and should be sown into a well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, and covered thinly with sand or grit and kept moist. Keep at between 20-25 degrees C. Seeds sometimes germinate within 4 to 6 weeks although some may take very much longer so please be patient. Plant out in the open ground in warmer countries or in a large container elsewhere.

Key Facts