Baru Nut

The baru nut is the seed of the baru tree, Dipteryx alata, an undomesticated tree native to the Cerrado savanna spanning Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru. Although it is botanically a legume in the family Fabaceae rather than a true nut, it is marketed and eaten as a tree-nut alternative, most commonly roasted and salted as a snack food, though it can also be eaten raw. Rich in protein, healthy fats, dietary fiber and minerals including magnesium, iron and zinc, the baru nut has grown in popularity as a nutritious snack food beyond its native South American range in recent years.