organic and fair-trade Brazil nuts from Bolivia

Brazil nuts Natural'andes small producer supply chain 1kg bag

harvesting Brazil nuts in Bolivia zafreros

Organic and Fair Trade Brazil Nuts 1kg

Organic Amazon Nuts (= Brazil Nuts), in nuggets
Fair harvest and processing in Bolivia
1 kg bag

€31.20

Tax included

Organic Amazon Nuts, Small Producers Supply Chain

The organic Amazon nut in nugget form is the same fruit as the Brazil nut, hand-harvested in the heart of the Bolivian Amazon rainforest, then artisanally shelled and cut into half-nuts. This nugget format is, in our opinion at Biovie, one of the most practical for everyday cooking. The selenium it contains (4,600 µg/kg analyzed on our Natural Andes batches) contributes to the protection of cells against oxidative stress and the normal functioning of the immune system, as part of a varied and balanced diet.

Amazon nuts originate from the primary forests of South America and are recognized for their atypical lipid profile and richness in minerals. Formerly called "Brazil Nuts," their production drastically declined in Brazil, a victim of deforestation since the 1970s. Bolivia has become the main producer (about 80 to 85% of today's global production), and they have been renamed "Amazon Nuts."

Frankly, their taste - between almond and macadamia nut - allows them to pair with both sweet and savory dishes. The texture is crunchy and the half-nut format that Biovie offers is the ideal size for easy snacking or adding to your dishes without even cutting it. It is also one of the most interesting nuts for making your own homemade plant milk, or plant-based creams and cheeses.

> On our blog, you will find a recipe for Raw Bread with Brazil Nuts, and tips on how to make plant milk.

🤎 How to incorporate Amazon nut nuggets into your daily routine?

- In a morning muesli or porridge, simply sprinkled over fresh fruits.
- As a snack, 2 to 4 nuggets are enough (equivalent to one or two whole nuts).
- Blended in a blender with filtered water to make a creamy and rich plant milk.
- As a base for plant-based cream, after a few hours of soaking, for raw cheeses.
- Crushed over a lamb's lettuce and beet salad, with a drizzle of flaxseed oil.
- In a raw tart crust (rawcake), mixed with Medjool dates.

And to make the most of their benefits, a small gesture makes all the difference: activation.

🤎 How to activate your Amazon nuts?

As with almonds, hazelnuts, or cashews, we recommend soaking your Amazon nut nuggets before consuming them. Here's how to do it:

- Soak the nuggets in a bowl of filtered water (1 part nuts to 2 parts water).
- Let soak for 4 to 8 hours (overnight is perfect).
- Rinse thoroughly with clear water.
- Consume within 48 hours, keeping them refrigerated.

Soaking releases phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that limits the absorption of minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. It also activates the enzymatic potential of the nut. It's very simple, and the difference in taste is real - a more tender texture, a milder taste.

> To understand the principle in detail, check out our full article: Activated almonds: superfoods of our daily life! (the principle is exactly the same for Brazil nuts).

🤎 Why nuggets and not whole nuts?

Our partner Natural Andes has created a truly innovative and ethical supply chain around the Amazon nut nugget. To support artisanal work and the local population, they have chosen hand-shelling. However, this manual shelling results in breakage, and these slightly damaged nuts are uninteresting for most large exporters. Yet, they are absolutely identical in taste and nutritional quality.

Each broken nut is then beautifully recut by hand by the Bolivians of Riberalta. Their size varies between that of a hazelnut and a large almond. The nugget offers only advantages:

- Anti-waste: nuts damaged during shelling are downgraded, but by valuing these losses, we can save about 15% of the annual production. The nuggets are therefore the result of an upcycling process.
- Job creation: the manual cutting of broken nuts has created a new job. Today, 20 people are employed solely to manually cut each nut.
- More convenient to consume: consumers prefer it for its size, which is more suited to their needs, unlike a whole Brazil nut. The size of a hazelnut, the nugget can be consumed more easily in one bite, mixed in muesli, yogurt, or in a mix of dried fruits.

🤎 Still wild nuts

Brazil nuts are among the few nuts that are not cultivated. They are harvested in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Indeed, the nut ripens at the top of century-old trees, up to 50 meters high. Amazon nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa) need their natural ecosystem to develop. Like chestnuts, it is up to humans to collect the fruit that falls from the tree. It resembles a large coconut and contains 10 to 25 nuts. The husk is opened at the foot of the tree with a machete, and the nuts with triangular edges are extracted from the forest to be shelled.

And here is what is remarkable: the collection of Brazil nuts preserves the Amazon from deforestation. As long as these trees produce, they are not cut down. It is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful examples of wild agroforestry still preserved on the planet.

Discover the harvest in images in this video:

🤎 An ethical and sustainable production

While the Brazil nut cannot be cultivated, its processing is becoming industrialized and mechanized, threatening the livelihoods of families in Bolivia: hundreds of jobs are being cut. The local population depends on manual shelling for their livelihood, so it is important for us to continue supporting them. Additionally, the recut nuts limit waste and allow for innovation among organic producers.

🤎 What are the nutritional benefits of the Brazil nut?

The Brazil nut is one of the most concentrated plant sources of selenium in the world. An analysis conducted on our Natural Andes batches indicates a remarkable level of 4,600 µg/kg. In practical terms, two to three kernels are enough to meet the daily reference intake of selenium for an adult. To my knowledge, it is one of the few nuts that can claim such a ratio.

🤎 Brazil nuts are important foods for their contributions of unsaturated fats, fiber, and nutrients.

Selenium: it is the plant star of selenium intake! This trace element contributes to the protection of cells against oxidative stress, the normal functioning of the immune system, the maintenance of normal hair, the maintenance of normal nails, and normal thyroid function (EFSA claims authorized by EU regulation 432/2012). It also participates in the production of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme involved in the antioxidant mechanisms of cell membranes.

After analysis, Natural Andes Brazil nuts indicate a level of 4,600 µg/kg. To meet the daily reference intake (70 µg/day for an adult according to EFSA), this corresponds to about 15 grams of nuts per day, or between 1 and 2 whole Brazil nuts, or 2 to 4 kernels.

Vitamin E: it is also a good antioxidant. It contributes to the protection of cells against oxidative stress (authorized EFSA claim), as part of a varied and balanced diet. The Brazil nut is one of the notable plant sources of it.

Magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus: these minerals are involved in many functions of the body. Magnesium contributes to reducing fatigue and the normal functioning of the nervous system. Zinc contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and the maintenance of normal skin. Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth (authorized EFSA claims).

Lipid profile: the Brazil nut is rich in lipids, with a majority of unsaturated fatty acids - about 22% monounsaturated and 25% polyunsaturated, compared to 16% saturated fatty acids (notably palmitic acid and stearic acid). This profile is quite interesting as part of a balanced diet. For my part, I am happy to remind that unheated plant lipids retain their maximum nutritional interest, which is exactly the case with our raw kernels.

Fibers: the Amazon nut provides an interesting amount. Fibers contribute to normal intestinal transit as part of a varied and balanced diet.

🤎 Climate aspect: the Amazon nut, an excellent carbon footprint

According to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted with the Natural Andes sector, the Amazon nut emits only 0.77 kg CO2 equivalent per kg, which is almost the same rate as the walnut from Grenoble grown and produced in France (0.75 EQ/kg). To give a sense of scale, 1 kg of meat emits 20.18 EQ/kg - nearly 26 times more.

The production method in its natural environment reduces the impact of greenhouse gases, and transportation accounts for only 30% of the total carbon footprint. Frankly, it's rare for a food that crosses the Atlantic.

Moreover, since the Amazon nut tree is a protected species, its exploitation contributes to the conservation of millions of hectares of Amazon rainforest and prevents deforestation and intensive soybean cultivation for livestock - as is the case in neighboring Brazil.

🤎 To learn more, check out our blog article: What are the benefits of Brazil nuts?

> And for those following a plant-based or vegan diet, the question of selenium sources is central. We address it in detail in our comprehensive guide: The 10 essential nutrients for vegans.

NATURAL ANDES

logo natural andes

This project first emerged from the meeting of Maxime Chiquet with the people of Bolivia, with whom he lived for over 5 years. During his travels, he met small producers who still work in an artisanal way and respect traditions. Their story touched him, particularly seeing that they are no longer valued in favor of industrializing productions.
Then from the meeting with Jhomaira Vera, his wife, with whom he decided to create Natural Andes with the aim of valuing Life, the Earth, and Humanity. Their commitment is based on preserving the values of Humanity respectful of its land, Pachamama (Mother Earth). Authentic Bolivian culture is respectful of the Earth, but industrialization threatens the nobility of sustainable ancestral practices, which preserve the future and economic security of producers.
Their raison d'être: authenticity. Their action: 100% organic endemic products sourced from sectors leaving a positive impact on their production land.

Beyond organic and fair trade, their commitment to producers is established at 3 levels:
- Sustainability of production activities.
- Economic security for the local population.
- More homogeneous distribution of wealth.
The quest for Authentic Terroir: it's about preserving Humanity and its Land.

Natural Andes team

You can find an article on the Natural Andes website about the logistics of their supply chain as well as the Harvest Calendar in Bolivia.

🤎 Product Characteristics

- Ingredients: 100% Amazon nuts from organic farming, in nugget form (half-nuts).

- Packaging: 1 kg packaged under protective atmosphere.

- Storage: Keep dry and cool, preferably in an airtight container. To preserve their nutritional qualities over time, we even recommend the refrigerator once the package is opened.

🤎 Nutritional Values per 100 g

Nutrient	Per 100 g
Energy	2,890 kJ / 701 kcal
Fats	66.1 g
of which saturated fatty acids	16 g
Carbohydrates	6.17 g
of which sugars	2.33 g
Proteins	16.9 g

🤎 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many Amazon nuts can you eat per day?

To benefit from selenium without excess, count 1 to 2 whole Amazon nuts per day, or 2 to 4 nuggets (about 10 to 15 g). This is more than enough to cover the daily reference intake of selenium (70 µg/day for an adult according to EFSA). Beyond 5 nuts per day over a prolonged period, the risk of selenosis (excess selenium) increases - it's better to stay reasonable and rotate with other nuts.

Why soak Amazon nuts before consuming them?

Soaking for 4 to 8 hours releases phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that limits the absorption of iron, zinc, and magnesium. It also improves the digestibility and taste of the nuts. Practically, you gain both digestive comfort and mineral bioavailability. Once soaked, store them in the refrigerator and consume them within 48 hours.

What is the difference between Brazil nuts and Amazon nuts?

No botanical difference: it is the same fruit, from the same tree (Bertholletia excelsa). The change in name corresponds to a change in geographical origin. Previously harvested mainly in Brazil, today it comes 80-85% from the Bolivian Amazon rainforest, due to Brazilian deforestation. The name "Amazon nuts" also reflects the fact that the harvest actually extends over Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.

Why choose nuggets instead of whole nuts?

The nuggets come from an anti-waste process: they correspond to nuts that are slightly damaged during manual shelling, cut by hand by Bolivian producers. This saves about 15% of the annual production that would otherwise be downgraded. With identical nutritional quality, you get a more practical format (size of a hazelnut to a large almond), ideal for mueslis, salads, raw pastries, or snacking.

How to store Amazon nut nuggets once the package is opened?

Once the package is opened, transfer the nuggets to an airtight glass jar, and store them in a dry and cool place. To best preserve their lipid profile rich in unsaturated fatty acids (sensitive to oxidation), the refrigerator is even recommended, especially if you plan to consume them over several weeks. Avoid direct light and heat, which accelerate rancidity.

Are Amazon nuts suitable for pregnant women?

In reasonable quantities (1 to 2 nuts per day), Amazon nuts are perfectly suitable as part of a varied and balanced diet during pregnancy - the selenium and magnesium they provide contribute to important physiological functions. However, as with all nuts, it is wise to discuss with your healthcare professional if you have a family history of nut allergies, and not to exceed the recommended portions.

Can Amazon nuts be used to make plant-based milk?

Yes, and it's even one of their most interesting uses. Soak 100 g of nuggets overnight, then blend with 1 liter of filtered water in a blender. Strain using a organic cotton plant milk bag. You get a creamy milk, naturally slightly sweet, with a nice richness in selenium. The okara (solid residue) can be reused in cookies or crackers, zero waste.

Discover our entire range of organic and activated oilseeds

Update: May 2026. Article validated by Éric Viard, founder of Biovie and engineer ISTOM, co-author of "Algues au quotidien" (Gallimard, 2024) - Best Cookbook in the World, Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2025, and Best Cookbook in France, National Academy of Cuisine 2025.

Warning: The information presented in this document is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or supplementation, especially if you are undergoing treatment, pregnant, or breastfeeding. As part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.