Beware the Brazil Nut and Worship the Queen of Almonds
Brace your wallet if you want to try either nut
Are you a nutty person? I’m not talking about the “great-uncle who visits for your birthday” nutty. I’m talking about “crazy about nut snacks” nutty. If so, you’re in the right place!
Nothing beats the taste and texture of nuts. They’re high in protein, antioxidants, and healthy fats and keep you full longer. From cashews to pecans, the world is your walnut (I mean, oyster). So why not search for premium nuts, especially if you have money to spare?
Here are some options to get positively nutty about!
Marcona Almond, aka Queen of Almonds
If you want to feel like a “Queen Snacker,” taste the Queen of Almonds, aka the Marcona almond. It is mainly grown in Spain and is flatter, sweeter, and rounder than the traditional almond. The texture resembles that of a macadamia nut.
It’s often served seasoned and lightly fried in olive oil or used in cooking and baking. Most notably, it’s an ingredient in the nougat-like dessert called Turrón.
The Marcona almond’s nutritional content is comparable to a regular almond, but its price is almost double! Since Spain only produces about 5% of the world’s almond supply (California generates 85%), the rarity of the Marcona almond drives the price to $16–20US per pound.
Is the popularity of the Marcona almond driven by scarcity and steep price, or are they actually superior to the simple almond? If you can afford it, why not try the royal treatment and decide for yourself?
Beware the Brazil Nut
Brace yourselves, you nutty enthusiasts! If you’re looking for a nut that is as healthy as it is dangerous, you’ve come to the right place. I present the Brazil nut. At around $7US a pound, they’re far more affordable than the Marcona almonds.
The Brazil nut contains an abundant quantity of selenium. The mineral is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. A 2012 study by a Rio de Janeiro university showed that consuming one brazil nut daily reduced inflammation and improved antioxidant response.
But beware of this nut! If you eat too many, you could end up with selenium toxicity. The side effects could make you lose hair, get dizzy, feel nauseous, and have muscle aches. In severe cases, the toxicity could even lead to death.
Now to positively baffle you, not all Brazil nuts have the same selenium content. The moral of the story is if you try Brazil nuts, it’s best to stick to one a day.
Conclusion
If you’re as nutty as I am, you’ll enjoy the Brazil nut and the Marcona almond. I do have to warn you that consuming too many Brazil nuts could lead to poisoning. But eating too many Marcona almonds could lead to a spike in pretentiousness.
