Brazil Nuts & Hazelnuts: What Makes These Imported Nuts Worth Adding to Your Rotation
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Brazil nuts and hazelnuts don't grow in Kashmir, but they've earned a place in our range because they bring something genuinely different to a dry fruit rotation that's otherwise built around almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. Here's what makes each one worth trying.
Brazil nuts: the selenium powerhouse
Our Brazil Nuts are sourced raw and unsalted, with a soft, buttery texture unlike the firmer bite of most other nuts. What sets Brazil nuts apart nutritionally is their selenium content — they're one of the richest natural sources of this mineral, which is genuinely hard to get from most other everyday foods in meaningful amounts.
A note on portion size
Because Brazil nuts are so selenium-dense, they're one of the few nuts where moderation genuinely matters more than usual — most nutrition guidance suggests just 1-3 nuts a day is enough to meet typical selenium needs, rather than eating them by the handful the way you might with almonds or cashews. Eating large quantities regularly isn't necessary and isn't recommended, so treat them as a small daily addition rather than a primary snack.
Hazelnuts: firm, rich, and versatile
Our Hazelnuts are also raw and natural, with a firmer bite and a rich, slightly sweet flavour that's distinct from the softer texture of walnuts or the mild sweetness of almonds. Hazelnuts hold up particularly well to roasting, which deepens their flavour further if you toast them yourself at home.
Where hazelnuts work well
- Chopped and folded into baked goods — cookies, cakes, and breads
- Paired with chocolate, a classic combination for a reason
- Eaten on their own, lightly roasted, as a more distinctive alternative to almonds
Why add imported nuts to a Kashmiri dry fruit rotation?
Kashmiri dry fruits — almonds, walnuts, pistachios, apricots — are the foundation for good reason: they're grown at high altitude in conditions that concentrate flavour and nutrition. But variety matters for both nutrition and interest. Brazil nuts and hazelnuts fill gaps that Kashmiri nuts don't cover as strongly (selenium from Brazil nuts, a distinct roasted flavour profile from hazelnuts), which is why we think of them as complements to your usual rotation rather than replacements.
How to store them
Both Brazil nuts and hazelnuts have a relatively high fat content, which means they can turn rancid faster than drier foods if left in a warm spot. Store both in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and refrigerate if you're in a hot or humid climate and don't plan to finish the pack within a few weeks.
Simple ways to use both
- Add 1-2 Brazil nuts and a small handful of hazelnuts to your morning routine alongside your usual almonds or walnuts.
- Chop hazelnuts and sprinkle over yogurt or oatmeal.
- Mix both into a trail mix with dried cranberries for a sweet-savoury combination.
Explore our full range of Kashmiri and imported dry fruits to build a rotation that covers all the nutritional bases.