Baru nuts are seeds in the legume family originating from South America. They are packed with many essential vitamins and nutrients, which has caused their popularity to rise as an incredibly healthy snack.
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What is a Baru Nut?
A Baru nut is the seed from the Brazillian Baruzeiro tree (Dipteryx alata) and are grown and harvested in South America. They also go by other names like barukas nuts or baru almonds and are noted for their amazing flavor and texture.
The taste of baru nuts is like a cross between a cashew and an almond, with hints of pistachio and hazelnuts; some even notice subtle hints of cocoa.
The History of Baru Nuts
Baru nuts grow wild in the local ecosystems of the Amazon. Indigenous people enjoyed these nuts for centuries, and the world soon discovered the power hidden in the Baruzeiro tree.
The seeds from the Brazillian legume tree have a rich, nutty quality that is unlike any other nut. Their high level of nutrition makes it the gem of the Amazon. Deforestation over the years threatens the life of these tree nuts, and few commercial harvesters sell these delicious treats online if you know where to look.
For decades, the tree of the Baru nut was chopped down and used for timber. However, with its recent newfound popularity, the baru nut tree is now minimally harvested for its wood. The nuts that it creates are far more valuable.
What Does a Baru Nut Taste Like?
A healthy snack isn’t exactly a snack if it doesn’t taste good. And luckily, this new superfood has a flavor that’s quite addictive. But there’s one hitch – you can’t eat them raw.
To enjoy the fruit’s flavors, roasted baru nuts are a fantastic treat. When roasted, the flavors of cashews, almonds, and peanuts only intensify and become incredibly crunchy. Who doesn’t love a crunchy snack?
Are Baru Nuts Different from Brazil Nuts?
Baru nuts and Brazil nuts are two entirely different nuts. It seems confusing since the baru nut comes from the Brazillian legume. So, let’s break down their apparent difference: flavor.
Brazil nuts have a unique tropical flavor similar to that of a coconut. It’s very meaty and oily, with a smooth peanut flavor. On the other hand, Baru nuts don’t have any tropical flavors but taste mild and a little chocolatey, with hints of creamy cashews and almonds.
Can I Eat The Skin of a Baru Nut?
Yes, you can eat the skin of a baru nut, and you absolutely should! The skin on the baru nut is quite dark, like a hazelnut, and contains a lot of added nutrition.
Just like hazelnuts, you can elect to keep the skin on or take it off. But removing the skin from a baru nut is a little time-consuming. Nutritionists feel that eating the skin amplifies the health benefits of this superfood.
Cooking with Baru Nuts
The great thing about baru nuts is that they are often pre-roasted and ready to go. There is very little prep work when using them in a recipe. However, things get a little more time-consuming if you want to remove the dark skins. Here is one of the best ways to remove the skin of the baru nut.
- Remove baru nuts from the container and place them in a bowl.
- One at a time, simply twist the hard skin until it snaps and pull it off.
Of course, removing the skin is entirely optional. If you decide to keep them on, they’re even more nutritious.
While they’re great in a bowl alone, they’re even better in these baru nut recipes.
Baru Nut Butter: The baru nut has subtle cocoa and coffee flavors, making a fantastic spread! This vegan baru nut butter is ultra creamy, with a sharp nuttiness and cocoa flavors. Spread it on toast, or eat it by the spoonful.
Baru Nut Bowl: What can you do to make a power bowl even more powerful? Add baru nuts. With tasty veggies like cucumbers, cabbage, zucchini, and lettuce, the crunchy, nutty kick of the baru nuts takes this power bowl to a whole new level.
Baruka Nut Vanilla Mousse Recipe: If you are craving a sweet treat, this baraka nut vanilla mousse is sweet and creamy without feeling overly indulgent. The baru nuts add a wonderful, nutty flavor amplified by healthy coconut cream.
How to Store Baru Nuts
If you store them properly, most baru nuts have three to six months of shelf life. Once you open the package, close it tightly, ensuring no moisture gets in. If moisture gets in, your nuts will spoil much more quickly. If you open the package and it smells rancid, it’s time to toss it.
The freezer is one of the best places to store baru nuts. Place them in a freezer-safe bag to stay fresh for up to one year.
Nutritional Benefits of Baru Nuts
Now, for the real reason you are here: the healthy benefits of Baru nuts. Some nutritionists hail the baru nut as one of the most nutritious nuts on the planet. They boast an impressive daily value of Vitamin E, antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and carbs. They also have high protein, making them an excellent weight-loss snack.
The nutritional value of a single serving of baru nuts has about 155 calories, only 14 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of saturated fat, and 7 grams of protein. Foods low in saturated fat can help control your good cholesterol, and the micronutrients in baru nuts help you feel better and more energized.
Where to Purchase Baru Nuts
Baru nuts are considered to be a specialty nut, so you might be able to find them with the exotic nuts at your local grocery store. Since it’s recently popular, you may have trouble tracking them down at a grocery store.
One of the best ways to get your hands on a pack of pre-roasted baru nuts is to head online. Online stores like Amazon sell them in about 10-ounce quantities, but the price tag is slightly higher than your average nut.