Brazil nut
| Brazil nut tree | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Lecythidaceae |
| Genus: | Bertholletia Bonpl. |
| Species: | B. excelsa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl.
| |
Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) refers to a South American tree in the family Lecythidaceae as well as the tree's commercially-harvested edible seeds. It is one of the largest and longest-lived trees in the Amazon rainforest. The fruit and its nutshell – containing the edible nut – are relatively large and weigh as much as 2 kg (4.4 lb) in total. As food, Brazil nuts are notable for diverse content of micronutrients, especially a high amount of selenium. The wood of the Brazil nut tree is prized for its quality in carpentry, flooring, and heavy construction.
In 2023, Brazil and Bolivia combined produced 91% of the world total of Brazil nuts.