# Stupid Brazil Nuts **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 23, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993 "2007-12-23T03:02:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/1 "2007-12-23T03:02:20Z")
Any of ya’ll know a good way to get the nut out of the shell in one piece? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/2 "2007-12-23T04:26:17Z")
Buy them in a tin, take the lid off, take off the protective seal. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/3 "2007-12-23T04:55:00Z")
[Diamond Foods, Nut FAQs:](http://www.diamondfoods.com/nuts_faq.htm) > [@](#): > > **Is there an easy way to crack Brazil nuts?** > You bet. To get a non-broken kernel from Brazil nuts, freeze them 24 hours prior to cracking. [ehow corroborates:](http://www.ehow.com/how_10768_crack-nuts.html) > [@](#): > > Step One > Freeze nuts, especially Brazil nuts, or soak them in water for several hours before cracking. > > Step Two > Stand frozen nuts with the point facing up and hit with a hard object, such as a hammer, to crack. I’ve never tried this. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/4 "2007-12-23T05:02:56Z")
Here’s a nice picture of a man holding some [Brazil nut fruits.](http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/classes/bio366/terminology/fruit/images/brazil-nut.jpg) If you chop the fruit open, it [looks like this.](http://picasaweb.google.com/jamiltonian/XixuauXiparina/photo#5105621838103448274) ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/5 "2007-12-23T05:14:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Step Two > Stand frozen nuts with the point facing up and hit with a hard object, such as a hammer, to crack. \>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>\>wince\<\<\<\<\<\<\<\<\<\<\< ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/6 "2007-12-23T05:32:31Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] If you chop the fruit open, it [looks like this.](http://picasaweb.google.com/jamiltonian/XixuauXiparina/photo#5105621838103448274) [/QUOTE] Lots of interesting pics there. And the girl with the short hair is cute. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/7 "2007-12-23T05:41:31Z")
Just in case you are not a fan of [House](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatever_It_Takes_(House_episode)) [The National Institute of Health](http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp) says: _Selenium content of foods can vary. For example, Brazil nuts may contain as much as 544 micrograms of selenium per ounce. They also may contain far less selenium. It is wise to eat Brazil nuts only occasionally because of their unusually high intake of selenium._ ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/8 "2007-12-23T06:07:28Z")
I stand ready to test the freeze, stand on end and smack with a hammer theory, in order to fight ignorance. I’ll get back when I have the opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/9 "2007-12-23T12:03:34Z")
I am gonna go freeze my nuts right now…I’ll report back soon. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/10 "2007-12-23T14:56:03Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Here’s a nice picture of a man holding some [Brazil nut fruits.](http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/classes/bio366/terminology/fruit/images/brazil-nut.jpg) If you chop the fruit open, it [looks like this.](http://picasaweb.google.com/jamiltonian/XixuauXiparina/photo#5105621838103448274) [/QUOTE] The first picture looks like it should be captioned “Why yes these are my nuts, why do you ask?” ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/11 "2007-12-23T16:11:50Z")
[QUOTE=don’t ask] Just in case you are not a fan of [House](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatever_It_Takes_(House_episode)) [The National Institute of Health](http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp) says: _Selenium content of foods can vary. For example, Brazil nuts may contain as much as 544 micrograms of selenium per ounce. They also may contain far less selenium. It is wise to eat Brazil nuts only occasionally because of their unusually high intake of selenium._ [/QUOTE] They also concentrate radium. Some sources claim that Brazil nuts contain 1000 times the radium level of any other food item. I raise an eyebrow at that statement, but sources roughly agree (within an order of magnitude) about the actual levels: [http://www.orau.org/PTP/collection/consumer%20products/brazilnuts.htm](http://www.orau.org/PTP/collection/consumer%20products/brazilnuts.htm) pCi/g is picocuries/gram The amount isn’t enough to be dangerous with any reasonable amount of Brazil nuts in one’s diet, particularly as you don’t absorb most of the radium, but it is enough to measure, and claim that Brazil nuts are radioactive. This article places it in the context of normal amount of long-lived radionuclides ingested per year: [http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/radioact/radfood.htm](http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/radioact/radfood.htm) (If you live on a steady diet of shellfish and Brazil nuts, maybe you got a problem.) ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/12 "2007-12-23T16:30:07Z")
For the last three years it’s been impossible to buy Brazil nuts in their shells in the UK. This is because of the perceived risk of carcinogenic agents which could be present in the shells. As the cost of testing each batch of nuts for this agent is considered too high by the importers, we can only buy shelled nuts. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/13 "2007-12-23T18:04:57Z")
[QUOTE=don’t ask] … _Selenium content of foods can vary. For example, Brazil nuts may contain as much as 544 micrograms of selenium per ounce. They also may contain far less selenium. It is wise to eat Brazil nuts only occasionally because of their unusually high intake of selenium._ [/QUOTE] Yes, be careful. If you become over-saleened, you may wake up and find you’ve purchased a loud, growly Mustang. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/14 "2007-12-23T18:06:33Z")
[This style of nutcracker](http://www.alwaysbrilliant.com/aa/aspx-products/1-247/2-42937/SC-FROOGLE/bb/Deluxe%20Nutcracker.htm) will open a Brazil nut without breaking the meat. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/15 "2007-12-23T18:29:08Z")
Froze 'em for about 3 hours.Works great! All but 2 came out in one piece.Hooray! 🙂 Now about all this radium and selenium…I eat quite a few of these things.Am I gonna get super powers? What kind of powers would someone get from a brazil nut? Or should I cut down on eating so many? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/16 "2007-12-23T19:01:24Z")
[QUOTE=MadTheSwine] Any of ya’ll know a good way to get the nut out of the shell in one piece? [/QUOTE] Congratulations. I Googled this, so by golly I’m going to post it. I use this kind of [nutcracker.](http://images.nutcrackers.com/mgen/master:CCD273.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/17 "2007-12-23T19:10:58Z")
[QUOTE=MadTheSwine] Froze 'em for about 3 hours.Works great! All but 2 came out in one piece.Hooray! 🙂 Now about all this radium and selenium…I eat quite a few of these things.Am I gonna get super powers? What kind of powers would someone get from a brazil nut? Or should I cut down on eating so many? [/QUOTE] You turn into the Hulk with a Portuguese accent … If the selenium caution is correct, that would be an issue long before the radium. The second link I gave indicates that eating 30-40 Brazil nuts/week might approximately double the amount of radionuclides you ingest from various sources, if you aren’t doing anything else that increases your exposure. That’s a LOT of Brazil nuts, and you probably have to get appreciably more than that to actually be dangerous. OTOH, if you dine every night on shellfish and Brazil nuts in a basement apartment in Denver constructed from the native stone, serving them on pre-WWII red Fiestaware plates, by the light of a Coleman lantern with old thorium mantles … ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/18 "2007-12-23T19:12:31Z")
Selenium can be a really nasty poison…really nasty in what it does to you. There was an episode of “House” as mentioned by **don’t ask** and there was also a movie about a man who slowly poisoned his wife with it (I think it was a Lifetime movie…I can almost picture Meridith Baxter Birney playing the part of the wife). It can be found in electronics…mostly older ones as it’s been phased out over the years. It used to be a main ingredient in photoconductors (drums) for copiers and laser printers because of it’s conductivity in the presence of bright light. [Wikipedia link](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenium) ---
**Author:** ![Sub\_Judice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Sub\_Judice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sub_Judice)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/19 "2007-12-23T19:37:56Z")
[QUOTE=Rayne Man] For the last three years it’s been impossible to buy Brazil nuts in their shells in the UK. [/QUOTE] . . . or anywhere in the European Union. Nanny State! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993/20 "2007-12-23T21:53:59Z")
[QUOTE=Rayne Man] As the cost of testing each batch of nuts for this agent is considered too high by the importers, we can only buy shelled nuts. [/QUOTE] I don’t quite get this. If the selenium is in the shells, and we don’t eat the shells, why does it matter who shells them? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-brazil-nuts/430993.md?page=2)