Baru Tree
| Dipteryx alata | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Dipteryx |
| Species: | D. alata |
| Binomial name | |
|
Dipteryx alata Vogel |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Coumarouna alata (Vogel) Taub. |
|
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2,238 kJ (535 kcal) |
|
13.6 g
|
|
| Sugars | 0.0 g |
| Dietary fiber | 9.2 g |
|
42 g
|
|
| Saturated | 7.6 g |
| Monounsaturated | 21.4 g |
| Polyunsaturated | 13.8 g |
|
29 g
|
|
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin E |
(143%)
21.4 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(11%)
110 mg |
| Iron |
(37%)
4.8 mg |
| Magnesium |
(46%)
164 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(119%)
832 mg |
| Potassium |
(21%)
980 mg |
| Zinc |
(48%)
4.6 mg |
|
|
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. | |
Coumarouna alata (Vogel) Taub.
Dipteryx pteropus Mart.
Dipteryx pterota Benth.
Baru is a primitive species of the legume genus (Dipteryx alata) in the family Fabaceae, from the early branch Dipterygeae It is a large tree, usually referred to as "Baruzeiro" (Baru tree) in Portuguese, with its fruits and specially its seeds known as Baru - in Portuguese, "castanha de baru" or "amêndoa de baru", literally translated as "baru nut" and "baru almond", respectively. Other less-used names besides Baru are Cumaru, Cumbaru, Barujo, Coco-feijão, Cumarurana, Emburena-brava, Feijão-coco, and Pau-cumaru.
It is found only in the Cerrado savannah of Midwestern Brazil and part of eastern Bolivia, being threatened with habitat loss by intensive farming. Historically it has been used as lumber, for charcoal production and for shade in pastures. The fruits can be used as feed for cattle and are also a food source for birds and small mammals, such as rodents, bats, and monkeys. The seeds are highly nutritious part of the local communities' diet.
The tree can measure up to 25 m in height, 0.7 m in diameter and have a useful lifespan of 60 years. A tree will produce about 150 kg of fruit per harvest in alternating years, being pollinated by bees.
Its brown fruits are either collected from the ground or picked from the tree when they are almost ripe. The fruit usually weighs 25g, of which 30% is pulp, 65% is ligneous endocarp and 5% is seed (bean/almond).
Out of the fruit, the pulp is sweet and can be consumed fresh, but is also used to manufacture jams, jellies, and liquors; the seeds are flavorful and should be served after roasting, which deactivates a trypsin inhibitor component. These seeds can be eaten as a snack or used as an ingredient for baked goods, cereal bars, Pesto sauce, drinks, desserts, and ice cream; the oil extracted from the seeds may also be used as a culinary ingredient, comparable to olive oil, and as a cosmetic also.
Baru almonds are rich in:
...
Wikipedia