Are Brazil Nuts Real Nuts?

Despite its name, the Brazil nut hides a surprising secret: it’s not a nut! Today, we are going to address that topic: what makes a Brazil nut a seed and not a nut. We will also see why the “nut” part of the name persisted, even after being categorized as a seed.

Brazil Nuts Are Classified as Seeds

In botany, a nut is described as having a hard outer shell that contains a single seed inside (think of a hazelnut). On the other hand, Brazil nuts are classified as seeds because there are several nestled inside a giant pod, as you can see in the image below.

Why Are They Called Brazil Nuts and Not Brazil Seeds?

As we discussed in another blog post, the name “Brazil nut” has been around for centuries. It started long before today’s precise botanical classifications. Today, changing it to “Brazil seed” would be a very hard thing to do, as the new name lacks the familiarity of “Brazil nut.” Language often favors convenience, and the established name persists despite the slight inaccuracy.

The Challenges of Change

The challenge would be greater than simple familiarity. Just consider how deeply the term “Brazil nut” is ingrained in commerce. Many parts of the industry would require a considerable amount of effort, such as packaging and distribution, not to mention the negative impact on sales created by consumer confusion in the initial stages of the change.

At Nutgeeks, we agree that changing the name at this point would likely cause more problems than it would solve. There’s even a slight beauty in using the wrong name; it gives it a layer of complexity.

Final Thoughts

Now you know, Brazil nuts are commonly called nuts, but they are actually seeds. And keep your eyes open because the Brazil nut isn’t the only fake nut out there. Others fall into different botanical categories. Some examples are peanuts, which are legumes, and almonds, which are drupes. Who knew your mixed nut bowl was secretly a botanical wonderland?