In this reference, you will explore different types of nuts, including well-known ones like pecans, cashews, almonds, and walnuts. This guide aims to enhance your English learning by providing essential vocabulary and concepts about nuts, making the topic both informative and educational.
Contents
What Are Nuts?
A majority of the nuts grown worldwide begins when the ovary hardens, ripens, and then turns to a hard shell. Inside the shell, the fruit’s seed, or kernel, develops. Many tree nuts like almonds and hazelnuts start out as beautiful flowers.
There are over 53 types of nuts found in the world. Of the edible type, there are over 20. Mother Nature has packed nuts with powerful and healthy properties. These include:
- Fiber
- Healthy unsaturated fats
- Contains antioxidants to prevent diseases
- Contains various vitamins, minerals, and protein
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Prevents heart disease
Types of Nuts
Tree Nuts
Here is a list of different types of nuts and how advantageous they are:
Almonds
Found mainly in West Asia, the U.S. has adopted it as their largest commercial crop. Almonds are gluten-free and are packed with minerals, protein, and vitamins. This nut is also used in certain medications, aromatherapy, in cosmetics for hydrating the skin, and in culinary meals.
Cashews
This nut is packed with antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins for increased energy levels, heart disease, and antibiotics to prevent cancer and diseases. Its native home in Brazil and has found homes in Vietnam, India, and Africa.
Pecans
Pecans are native to the U.S. Pecans contain minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, vitamins, monosaturated fats, potassium, calcium, and more.
Walnuts
Walnuts are native to southern Europe and Asia. Now there are plantations throughout the U.S., France, Romania, China, and Turkey. Walnuts contain high levels of monosaturated properties that keep the heart-healthy. This nut is power-packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Walnut oil is used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and cooking. Walnuts are also used in hydrating the skin.
Pistachios
Pistachios originated in West Asia and Turkey. It is now cultivated in the U.S., Iran, China, and Syria. This delicious tree nut contains antioxidants, monosaturated fats, minerals, proteins, and vitamins. Pistachio oil is used in many culinary dishes. This nut is also used in the medical field, the cosmetic industry, and aromatherapy fields.
Brazil Nuts
This popular nut originated in Brazil and is now grown in Peru and Bolivia. Brazil nuts are packed with protein, healthy fats, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Brazil nuts are used by the medical field, the cosmetic industry, pharmaceutical companies, and its oil for cooking.
Pine Nuts
Pine nuts originated in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. They are packed with healthy vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It is gluten-free. Pine nuts are popularly used in cooking, salads, medicine, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and aromatherapy.
Hazel Nuts
Also nicknamed “Filberts,” hazel nuts originated in Turkey and parts of Europe. This beneficial tree nut is packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and is gluten-free. Hazel nut oil helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin. Its oil is popular in many cooking dishes. Its oil is also used by the pharmaceutical industry, the cosmetic industry, massage therapies, and aromatherapy.
Coconuts
Coconuts are both a tree fruit and a nut. It grows in many different tropical countries. Its milky liquid and its white meaty insides are enjoyed around the world. Both its liquid and meat is filled with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, electrolytes, anti-aging enzymes, and so much more to protect the heart and cholesterol levels.
Ground Nuts
Peanuts
Peanuts were native to Spain but have now found a lucrative home in the U.S. and Africa. This popular nut contains enriched nutrients that include vitamins, protein, antioxidants, amino acids, and a variety of minerals like iron and potassium.
Seed Nuts
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are the edible seeds harvested from the sunflower plant. These seeds are a popular snack worldwide, boasting a high nutritional value. They are an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium, and selenium.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, originate from the pumpkin fruit. Typically found within the flesh of the pumpkin, they can be removed, cleaned, and then roasted or eaten raw. Pumpkin seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients, containing protein, healthy fats, fiber, and a variety of minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron.
List of Healthiest Nuts
The healthiest nuts are those that provide mobility and versatility in our daily lives. Healthy nuts that be combined to make a great fat-free treat can be used in a variety of ways. The following nuts help to provide over 50% of our daily needs.
Nuts are packed with nutrients that can be eaten and easily digested by diabetics, heart-disease patients, allergy sufferers, liver disease, weight loss diets, Alzheimer, and other ailments that are best for the body’s immune system.
The healthiest nuts favored by physicians and nutritionists include the following:
- Almonds
- Brazil nuts
- Cashews
- Hazel nuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
Remember, that too much of a good thing is not good. Nuts can and should be part of our daily food requirements. But, as healthy as nuts are, a daily requirement is just a small handful.
Lesser Known Types
Macadamia Nuts
We always hear about almonds, walnuts, and peanuts, but let’s take a moment to appreciate macadamia nuts. These delicious and buttery nuts originated in Australia and are now grown in various parts of the world including Hawaii and California. They are high in healthy fats and are great for heart health. When roasted, they have a fantastic crunch and can be enjoyed on their own, in cookies, or even in salads.
Koala Nuts
Another lesser-known variety of nuts is the Koala nut, also known as the candlenut. They are native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Pacific. Koala nuts are rich in oils and have been used for various purposes, such as a source of light in the form of candles, and also as a traditional ingredient in Indonesian and Malaysian cuisines. Please note that Koala nuts must be cooked before consumption since they can be toxic if eaten raw. These nuts also offer great nutritional benefits, including a good amount of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Beech Nuts
Beech nuts come from the beech tree, commonly found in Europe, Asia, and North America. These tiny, triangular nuts have a subtle, sweet flavor and are often enjoyed roasted or mixed into other dishes like salads and stuffings. They are packed with nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Beech nuts are also traditionally used to make beech nut oil, which has various applications in cooking and cosmetic products. Just be cautious, as some people might be allergic to these nuts.
- Adverbs Worksheet – Adverbs Exercises - December 21, 2023
- What Does the Term “Rapport” Mean? - November 28, 2023
- What Does the Term “Solidarity” Mean? - November 28, 2023