Dipteryx alata, known as the baru tree, is a large, wild tree from the legume family native to the Cerrado, Brazil’s tropical savanna. As an undomesticated species, it is the source of the increasingly popular baru nut. The tree and its nut are integral to the local ecosystem and are gaining global recognition.
Botanical Characteristics
The Dipteryx alata tree can reach heights of up to 25 meters with a trunk diameter of 0.7 meters. It is characterized by a dense, rounded canopy that provides ample shade and possesses compound leaves. Its bark is smooth and grayish, often showing vertical fissures as the tree ages.
During its flowering season, the tree produces small, fragrant, greenish-white flowers which appear before the onset of the rainy season. Following pollination, the tree develops a fruit known as a drupe. This ovoid-shaped fruit contains a juicy, fleshy pulp surrounding a very hard, woody shell that protects the single seed inside.
The Baru Nut
The edible part of the Dipteryx alata fruit is the seed, commercially known as the baru nut or baru almond. This nut is encased within the fruit’s extremely hard shell. Extracting the kernel is a labor-intensive process, traditionally done by hand after the fruits are collected from the ground or picked from the tree.
Once extracted, the raw nuts must be roasted. This step is necessary to neutralize certain compounds, making the nut safe and palatable. Roasting transforms them into dark, crunchy nuggets with a flavor described as a mix between a peanut and a cashew, with some detecting subtle notes of cocoa.
Nutritional Profile and Uses
Baru nuts possess a high protein content, making up nearly 30% of their weight, which is higher than many other common nuts. The nuts are also a rich source of dietary fiber. They contain a beneficial profile of unsaturated fatty acids, which constitute over 75% of the oil extracted from them.
Their high nutritional value has led to them being labeled a “superfood.” Baru nuts are a source of several minerals, including:
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Manganese
- Iron
- Zinc
In the kitchen, they are versatile and can be eaten as a roasted snack, ground into flour for baking, or used to create milk alternatives and oils.
Ecological and Economic Significance
Dipteryx alata plays an important role in its native Cerrado biome. The tree is drought-resistant and its deep root system helps to prevent soil erosion and maintain the water cycle. It provides a food source for native fauna, such as birds, bats, and rodents, which help disperse its seeds. The tree’s resilience makes it a promising species for integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems.
The wild harvesting of baru nuts provides a sustainable income for local communities in the Cerrado, creating a direct incentive to preserve the native savanna. As global demand for baru nuts grows, the economic value of maintaining the standing forest rises. This interest helps support sustainable agriculture and the conservation of Brazil’s biodiversity.