Nuts

Paradise Nut

Paradise nuts (also cream nuts or sapucaia) are Lecythis seeds from northern South American rainforests, cousins to Brazil nuts in canopy ecology but a scarcer retail item. Meats are rich and creamy with high oil, excellent for regional snacking and small-lot gourmet export when fresh. Forest harvest and careful shelling resemble Brazil-nut labour more than orchard almonds. Do not assume identical selenium numbers to Bertholletia— species and soils differ. Cool storage is mandatory after shelling; oxidation dulls the luxury fast. Good kernels are plump with clean tropical aroma; hollow, mouldy, or paint- smelling meats fail. Label as a tree nut and keep expectations on rarity rather than bulk trail-mix pricing.

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Cuts & parts

Butter

Flour

Kernel

Meal

Oil

Paste

Shell

Skin

Whole

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Lecythis pisonis

Sapucaia

Monkey Pot

Brazilian Paradise Nut

Amazonian Paradise Nut

Characteristics

Preparations

BlanchedChilledChoppedDicedDriedFreshFrozenGroundHalvedPowderRawRoastedSaltedSlicedSliveredSmokedToastedWhole

Provenance

BiodynamicDry RoastedExport CertifiedFair TradeHeirloomLightly SaltedNon-GMOOrganicPesticide FreeRawRegenerativeSingle OriginSteam PasteurizedUnsalted

Sources

Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedPlantationWild

Traits

CreamyDenseMildNuttyRichSweet

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 560

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 55.5 g
Saturated Fat 6.9 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 29.3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 14 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 5.03 mg
Salt 0.01 g
Total Carbohydrate 16.7 g
Dietary Fibre 8.25 g
Total Sugars 3.77 g
Complex / starch 4.61 g
Protein 18.7 g
Water 3.84 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 560 kcal
Water 3.84 g
Carbohydrates 16.7 g
- Sugars 3.77 g
  - Monosaccharides 2.64 g
  - Disaccharides 1.13 g
- Starch 4.61 g
  - Amylose 1.15 g
  - Amylopectin 3.46 g
  - Digestible Starch 3.92 g
  - Resistant Starch 0.46 g
- Fibre 8.25 g
  - Soluble Fibre 2.89 g
  - Insoluble Fibre 5.36 g
Protein 18.7 g
- Plant Protein 17.8 g
Fat 55.5 g
- Saturated Fat 6.9 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 29.3 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 14 g
  - Omega-3 1.4 g
  - Omega-6 6.98 g
Vitamins 85.7 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.15 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.95 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.48 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.14 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 14.2 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 37.5 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 4.59 mg
- Vitamin K 4.5 µg
Minerals 228 mg
- Major Minerals 219 mg
  - Calcium 47 mg
  - Sodium 5.03 mg
  - Potassium 167 mg
- Trace Minerals 9.4 mg
  - Iron 1.2 mg
  - Zinc 3.2 mg
  - Iodine 5 µg
Salt 0.01 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.01 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.2 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.15 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.95 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.48 · vitamin-b6: 0.14 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 14.2 · vitamin-b9-folate: 37.5 · vitamin-e: 4.59 · vitamin-k: 4.5 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 5.03 · Potassium: 167 · Calcium: 47 · Iron: 1.2 · Zinc: 3.2 · Iodine: 5 ·

Nuts pack energy-dense oils, plant protein, and fibre; sodium stays low until salted.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Paradise Nut.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

500 BCE

Amazonian peoples harvested Lecythis nuts from rainforest trees as wild foods.

1800

Explorers and traders described paradise or cream nuts alongside Brazil nuts for export curiosity.

2000

Specialty importers occasionally offer paradise nuts to gourmet markets.