Brazil nuts NOT raw?

[Abigail]

People at the raw potluck I went to last week told me that brazil nuts are not raw (kind of like cashews which are heated when harvested). I'd never heard of it before but those people seemed to be very confident of that. I did a search on the internet, but didn't find anything. If they aren't raw, that's really too bad as they make the most delicious, the most amazing, richest, creamiest nut milk (lemme tell ya, almond milk has got nothing on brazil nut milk). Plus, brazil nuts have a very high amount of Selenium which is great for people with thyroid problem (i.e. me). My breakfast everyday is brazil nut milk with very crunchy and satisfying granola (made out of brazil nut meat that's leftover from the milk, apple, and cinnamon) that I make in my dehydrator (you know how most raw granola recipes call for sprouted grains and they never get crunchy in the dehydrator - just dry and chewy? This granola has the texture of pecan sandies!!!). My mother (who once said she could never eat an all raw diet because "raw foods are gross") ate that every single day for breakfast when she came to visit me for two weeks last month -- not knowing that it was raw. Ha!)

Please tell me they're raw ... :(

[JustMe]

well about them being raw i cannot help you with. i am writing to ask if you would share your granola recipe! :D pretty please! it sounds really awesome!

[Brianna]

I've also heard that. In fact, I've heard that most nuts you buy commercially are not really raw. If you order them from a reputable source online, they probably would be raw. I'm not really that picky though. If you're feeling great, I see no need to worry about it.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I always suggest trying to sprout anything that you would like to know is raw.

Just soak a few brazils overnight, place them on a wet paper towel and keep in a warm area, keeping them moist. If they don't germinate in a day or two, then they probably aren't raw.

Let us know if you see a tail! :)

[Abigail]

Sharon, thanks for the tip. I have heard, though, that if the skin on the nuts is not completely in tact, even if the nuts are raw, they won't sprout. My raw almonds, bought from a pretty reputable source, never sprout. But I'll give it a try. Will report back.

Justme -- I'll make another batch of the nut milk and granola tonight and will post the recipe within the next day or two. I have a bad habit of never measuring anything. But I'll measure tonight. See if it will kill me ... :D

[Sheryl]

I think in nature brazil nuts can take months to germinate too (like macadamias) so growing them isnt' really an option! :)

I have noticed brazil nuts absorb water well, and get crunchy. To me that's a good sign. The raw but cooked cashews don't fare well in water.

Cheers,
Sheryl

[SeaGrass7]

I am anxiously awaiting that recipe as well- sounds VEEry good!
:)