Nuts – real and “fake”

Nuts are tasty and healthy. But what exactly are nuts, and why – at least in botany – is a distinction made between real and false nuts? Characteristic for a real nut are three woody fruit wall layers which enclose the nut fruit. What we eat is the seed of the fruit, which is sold as a nut. Hazelnuts, walnuts, beechnuts and sweet chestnuts belong to the real nuts.

So-called “false” nuts are those that are commonly referred to as such, but are actually legumes, stone fruits or capsule fruits.

Pulses and stone fruits

The peanut is a legume and therefore related to peas and beans. Almonds, pistachios and pecans are drupes and therefore in a group with peaches, plums or olives. The characteristic feature is that only the inner fruit wall, which is surrounded by the fruit flesh, is lignified. So here we don’t eat the seed, but the kernel. Also the cashew nut belongs to the stone fruits. But it is a special case, because the kernel is not surrounded by the flesh, but hangs outside the cashew apple.

Capsule fruit

The Brazil nut in turn belongs neither to the nut, nor to the stone or legume fruits, but is a capsule fruit. Here, too, the flesh of the fruit is lignified and contains the seeds that we eat. The “nuts” grow in large fruit capsules on the tree.

The healthy ingredients of nuts

Whether we eat real or “fake” nuts, all colloquial “nuts” are very healthy. They supply essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, dietary fibres, proteins, minerals, vitamins and secondary plant substances. They also contain the essential amino acid leucine in significant amounts. Leucine plays an important role in building and maintaining muscles. Various studies indicate that the regular consumption of nuts is associated with positive effects on health. Daily consumption of 1 portion (20-30g) of unsalted nuts is recommended. This corresponds to about a handful.

Source: Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ernährung SGE (2019). Merkblatt Nüsse, Samen und Kerne.

Important storage information

Nuts in shell should be stored dry, cool and airy, preferably in nets. This way they can be stored for several months. Processed nuts (shelled, ground, chopped, sliced, roasted, seasoned) should be stored protected from oxygen and sunlight at ideally 15 degrees. Closed, opaque packaging is particularly suitable for this.

The contents of opened packages should be used up quickly. This is because nuts can become rancid due to their high fat content. In addition, nuts mould quickly, forming substances that are harmful to health. Discoloured and mouldy nuts must therefore no longer be eaten.

Why nuts from organic farming?

In addition to the general health benefits, the issue of nuts raises the question of environmental sustainability in production. Like all agricultural products, nuts require valuable natural resources, which require careful handling. For example, the careful use of soil, water, fertilizers and pesticides is central to securing long-term yields. All products in the Pakka range are therefore grown in accordance with the strict guidelines of organic farming and carry the organic quality label (EU organic). With the exception of Brazil nuts, which grow wild, organic nuts are grown on small plantations in alternating crop rotation or in mixed cultures. This method of cultivation yields less than intensive, conventional cultivation. Therefore organic nuts are usually more expensive.

Why Fairtrade?

Due to climatic requirements, the nuts in the Pakka range come from developing and emerging countries. Because the living conditions of small farmers in these regions of the world cannot be compared with European standards, it is essential to establish fair trade relations. This is why Pakka not only markets the products of its southern partners, but also pays them guaranteed and stable minimum prices, pre-finances some of their harvests and concludes long-term contracts with them. Through Fairtrade certification (Max Havelaar seal of approval), the small farmers also benefit from a Fairtrade premium for their products in order to invest in charitable projects (e.g. better education or infrastructure). In addition to these practices, Pakka makes a financial contribution: for every product sold in Switzerland, 5 centimes are donated to the Pakka Foundation to support projects in the countries of origin. The sum of all these efforts stands for “fair trade” as it is lived and practiced at Pakka.