Everyone knows the beneficial properties of nuts, and how, following the advice of nutritionists, it is worth eating them. In a short review, we will touch on some useful properties and the degree of mineral content of this valuable product. And most importantly, we find out which nut is the largest in the world, and where it grows.
1
Coco de mer
In the Seychelles, and only on them, a unique palm grows, which has a fairly large and unusual fruit.
Coco de mer, which is also called sea coconut, or Seychelles nut, in science was called Lodoicea maldivica. Some fruits reach a diameter of 1 m, while weighing 25 kg. Many are also amused by the unusual shape of the fetus, resembling the piquant parts of the female body.
The largest nut has two layers of shells, which crack during ripening of the fruit. The fame of a miracle with Seychelles in the XVII century reached the expanses of Russia.
2
Coconuts
Coconuts, reaching a length of 30 cm and weighing from 1.5 to 3 kg, deserve the second place in size.
On thebiggest.ru you can also read an interesting article about the largest mushrooms and mycelium.
Coconuts grow high on palm trees in small groups of 15-20 pieces, and ripening takes place over 8-9 months. The most interesting thing is that in the biological classification it is drupe with a sharp differentiation of the layers, but in the world the name is firmly entrenched - coconut and coconut milk.
Many myths and legends are associated with the tropical fruit, and its useful properties have long been appreciated in different parts of the world.
3
Durian
One of the most unusual and dangerous fruits in the world. The fruit has an unpleasant odor and is covered with sharp spikes.
They grow up to 25 cm in diameter and weigh an average of 4 kg. If such a miracle of nature with spikes falls on his head, discomfort is guaranteed. The impressions of the taste of the pulp in all those who have tried it differ significantly. Someone compares with the taste of cream on the cake, and someone notes an unpleasant smell that discourages the desire to try durian.
Malaysians have learned to cook a variety of delicious dishes from this hard-coated fruit.
4
Chestnut
Chestnuts are common from the Japanese islands to Gibraltar, in North America and in Australia. Naturally, the fruits of chestnuts vary in size.
For example, varieties grown in Russia have smaller fruits than their counterparts in Europe. Especially large chestnuts, whose diameter reaches from 3 to 5 cm, grow in France and Spain.
And the Guinean chestnut, which belongs to another biological species, has oblong olive-colored fruits 25 cm long. Inside these nuts are edible seeds.
5
Walnuts
Walnut varieties are popular in different countries of the world, and gardeners pay more attention to the fecundity of a tree than to the size of the fruit. Although the size of the fetus plays an important role, therefore, we will present the largest ones.
Grade Giant
Of course, the myths about walnuts the size of an apple remain just myths, but there are really large varieties.
One of them is the Giant, the fruits of which have an oblong shape, a thin shell, and the dried kernel weighs from 30 to 35 grams. Attracted by gardeners unpretentiousness and early maturity of the variety, as well as relative frost resistance and resistance to disease.
The variety also has a disadvantage. The fact is that the tree bears fruit in its upper part, so it is not so easy to get ripe fruits. Although everyone knows that nuts are not apples, you can gnaw a tree and the fruits will not be damaged on the ground.
Grade Giant annual
A fast-growing variety, the tree of which grows up to 5 m in height with extremely high productivity.
The fruit of this variety is quite large, up to 3-4 cm in length, and such "giants" weigh up to 33 grams. Productivity from one tree at such indicators of fruits can reach 100 kg from one tree.
Specialists and amateur gardeners note good frost resistance of the variety, which is extremely important in Russian latitudes, where spring or early autumn frosts are quite common.
Grade Giant
Wise Greeks in ancient times called walnuts "gifts of the gods", and loved to eat it. For the sake of justice, we note that there were periods when eating nuts was forbidden.
Grade "Giant" was introduced relatively recently, but has already gained popularity in the European expanses. The fruits are quite large, oblong in shape, and one of the advantages is a thin shell.
Breeders note three advantages by which he circumvents his fellow men. This is early maturity, unpretentiousness and productivity. Last, most important, since one tree can collect up to 120 kg.
6
Hazelnut
Hazelnut, despite the name, has long been fruitfully cultivated as an agricultural crop - tasty and high-yielding.
There are many varieties, of which the largest hazelnut is called “Trebizond”. The oblong-shaped fruit grows up to 2.5 cm in length and up to 1.5 in diameter. A small hazelnut kernel is a real storehouse of useful substances, as it contains amino acids that the human body is unable to produce on its own.
Even in ancient times, people tried to plant these shrubs at their homes, which protected them from evil spirits and were sources of wholesome fruits.
7
Cashew
This small nut did not get on our list because of its size, and therefore it has the most magnesium, and it is a record holder among all its nut counterparts.
The human body needs about 350 mg of magnesium per day, and in cashews its content is 292 mg per 100 g of product. In addition, cashews are rich in iron, phosphorus and calcium.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers need 450 mg of magnesium per day, so they are advised to consume this tasty and healthy product more.
Some interesting facts about nuts
We conclude the description with small facts about this valuable for human life, as well as in the confectionery industry and pharmacology, product:
- The rulers of Babylon, due to the fact that the walnut kernel looks like a human brain, were forbidden to eat them. It was believed that a person will quickly grow wiser, and who needs smart subjects.
- A Swedish traveler, being in different parts of the world, believed that nuts ripped unripe, squeak at the same time and cry.
- Peanuts are considered the world's most popular nut, and from a biological point of view, it is a bean, like beans or peas.
- The most cheerful ones are pistachios, since the crack in their shell resembles a smile.
- In ancient times, amulets were made from dried hazelnuts to protect against evil spirits.
- In France, chestnuts are so loved that there is a separate national holiday on the calendar - Chestnut Day, when the streets of French cities are filled with the smell of fried goodies.
- In the Caucasus, a walnut tree was considered sacred, and severe punishment was imposed for its felling or damage.
- From the shell of Coco de Mer, and now the locals make tableware, but more like souvenirs for tourists.
- In Malaysia, the bride's family puts 22 chestnut dishes on the table during the wedding. In this they demonstrate to the groom and his relatives the wealth of their family.
Conclusion
Nature is inventive, she came up with many different forms and tastes for the fruits of plants. A good example is fruits with an edible kernel and a hard shell. Nuts are widely represented in the medieval heraldry of Western European cities and knights, and since childhood we all know the Hoffmann tale, indirectly associated with nuts, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”.
Article author: Valery Skiba