The Amazon Supernut: A Gift from the Rainforest to Your Health and the Planet

In the Peruvian jungle there is a vast territory called Madre De Dios (the Mother of God). There are many reasons for this name, as it contains innumerable nature's wonders. It also has a benevolent and majestic guardian: Bertholletia excelsa, or the tree of the Amazon Supernut.

Towering up to 50 meters high, with a thick, straight trunk and a wide-reaching crown, this tree reigns over the rainforest like a cathedral of life. Its deep roots stretch into the rich Amazonian soil, and its branches shelter hundreds of species—birds, insects, mammals, and more. The Amazon nut tree cannot be cultivated in plantations; it thrives only in untouched forest, relying on a complex network of pollinators and animals to reproduce. This makes it a symbol of wild, living ecosystems and a quiet sentinel of balance.

From this tree falls one of the most powerful superfoods on Earth: the shelled Brazil or Amazon nut. And behind every handful lies a story of resilience, tradition, and ecological protection.

Ancestral Harvest and Nutritional Powerhouse

Each Amazon nut begins its journey inside a large, woody fruit, resembling a coconut, that can weigh up to 2 kilograms. These capsules fall naturally from the treetops during the rainy season, scattering across the jungle floor. Hidden within are 15 to 25 individual seeds—the shelled Amazon nuts we know—tightly packed like segments in a citrus fruit.

Harvesters known as castañeros walk long distances through the forest to collect these fruits by hand. With machetes and wooden mallets, they open each shell one by one in a process that blends strength and technique. The work is physically demanding and deeply rooted in generational knowledge. Families set up camps and spend weeks in the forest during harvest season, practicing a rhythm that has existed for centuries.

Once gathered, the nuts are carefully dried, peeled, and stored. The final product is rich in:

• Selenium, a potent antioxidant that supports immune function and hormonal balance

• Healthy fats, including omega-6 and omega-9, beneficial for cardiovascular health

• Vitamin E, magnesium, and plant-based protein, all of which promote longevity and cellular protection

Consuming just 2–3 Amazon nuts a day can meet the recommended daily intake of selenium—without supplements. Few foods offer such concentrated nutrition in such a small package.

But the Amazon nut is more than fuel for the body. It is a fruit of the forest, harvested in harmony with nature, sustaining families, ecosystems, and cultural heritage all at once.

Guardians of the Forest: The Castañeros of Madre de Dios

Deep in the heart of Madre de Dios, hundreds of Peruvian families carry forward the ancestral practice of Amazon nut harvesting. These communities—many of them Indigenous or mestizo—are not just producers, but guardians of one of the last thriving rainforests on Earth.

The work of the castañero is far more than a job—it is a legacy. Families receive temporary use contracts for forest concessions that may span hundreds or even thousands of hectares. Within these vast forest territories, they live in harmony with nature for weeks or months, following traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

Children grow up learning how to identify fruiting trees, how to protect wildlife, and how to navigate the forest with respect. During harvest season, entire families migrate to remote camps. There, daily life revolves around the rhythm of the forest—waking early, collecting fallen fruits, cracking shells, drying and storing nuts by hand.

In recent years, local associations, cooperatives, and conservation NGOs have provided training, infrastructure, and certification support. These include initiatives like organic certification, forest monitoring, and access to carbon markets through REDD+ programs. Such programs help communities preserve their forests while improving their economic resilience.

By supporting the Amazon nut economy in Madre de Dios, you’re not only nourishing your body—you’re reinforcing a circular system of well-being: healthy forests, dignified livelihoods, and climate solutions rooted in equity.

A Global Ingredient for Health-Conscious and Ethical Living

As global awareness of health and sustainability grows, the Amazon nut has taken its rightful place among the world’s most respected superfoods. From Berlin to Seoul to Los Angeles, it is appearing in smoothies, granolas, plant-based snacks, and energy bars—not just as a nutrient-dense ingredient, but as a symbol of responsible consumption.

Nutritionists praise the Amazon nut for its unique combination of selenium, healthy fats, and plant protein—all essential for immune resilience, hormonal health, and aging well. Just two or three nuts a day provide enough selenium to support thyroid function, reduce inflammation, and protect cells from oxidative stress.

But what truly sets the Amazon nut apart is its ethical footprint. Unlike most nut crops, which require irrigation, deforestation, or monoculture farming, the Amazon nut can only be harvested in standing forest. This makes it one of the rare foods that actively incentivize conservation.

Food companies and conscious consumers are increasingly seeking products that are both nutrient-rich and planet-positive. In this context, the Amazon nut is not just a snack—it’s a statement: that we can nourish our bodies without depleting ecosystems, and that indigenous and local communities deserve a seat at the global wellness table.

At Peruvian Bloom, we believe that every Amazon nut we share carries with it a message of balance: between people and planet, past and future, tradition and innovation.

Join the Movement

When you choose Amazon nuts from Peruvian Bloom, you're choosing more than a delicious, nutrient-packed snack. You're supporting forest conservation, empowering local families in Madre de Dios, and aligning your daily habits with a vision of planetary wellness.

Explore our full collection of ethically sourced ingredients, and let every bite you take be a step toward a healthier world.

→ Discover the Amazon Supernut. Nourish your body. Protect the rainforest and our planet.