Barùkas
My favorite food discovery from 2019 was the baru nut. These nuts come from trees called Baruzeiro in the Cerrado region of Brazil, which is said to be the most biodiverse savanna on the planet. Darin Olein is a superfood hunter, wellness expert, and now thanks to Down to Earth with Zac Efron…you might recognize him?! I subscribe to the company he co-founded to order Barùkas, a trustworthy/trademarked source of the nut.
This nut company hits the trifecta jackpot of supporting individual/planet/community health, which is captured by their slogan: “Good for you. Good for the planet.” Barùkas are naturally harvested and therefore do not require pesticides, fertilizers or irrigation. They have the potential to actually reverse deforestation. I love that this nut offers an opportunity for the indigenous people to make a living off the land. Economical sustainability is a hell yes for me.
Photo from @eatbarukas
The health benefits of this “SuperNut” are overwhelming. These include:
lower calories than other nuts
more protein/fiber than others
three times the antioxidant power than other nuts
micronutrients such as magnesium and potassium
no cholesterol
decent source of calcium
lower end of fat relative to other nuts
a good source of (vegan) protein with all essential aminos
Wowsa’s! And if you’re wondering about the taste, you are in for a treat! The taste of the roasted nut is a hybrid of a peanut, brazil nut and cashew. Crunchy, dry, and a depth of flavor that make the nuts extra palatable. I have yet to try or to make the nut butter, which is barukas blended with cashews, that is it! That could be dangerous. I also like to make trail mixes with Barùkas, dried fruit, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and chocolate chips.
Tasty, healthy, helps others and the planet, I mean what more can you want in a product?
It has become a staple in our household (for the non-nut allergy folk). If you’re interested in learning more, ordering or checking out recipes, visit here.
ps - I was surprised to recently see baru nuts at Whole Foods and when I tried it, the quality was not as high as Barùkas.
