Brazil nut

Brazil nuts are technically a seed rather than a nut. About 20 seeds grow packaged tightly together in large round pods on the South American tree Bertholletia excelsa, which is found only in Brazil (hence the name). The shells are dark brown, very hard, and triangular in shape, with three flat sides. Shelled Brazil nuts are comparatively large—about 3 times the size of a shelled almond—and ivory colored, with a very thin brown skin. They have a high oil content and a pleasing crunchy texture.