11 Varieties and Types of Nuts (2024)

FAQs

11 Varieties and Types of Nuts? ›

These include common, widely known types of nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, and butternuts, among others. Some lesser-known nuts are also edible, such as saba nuts, paradise nuts, pili nuts, baru nuts, mongongo nuts, and more.

1. Almonds. Relatively low in calories, almonds are an excellent food for health due to their protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Scarcely Farmed – only 1% of tree nuts produced worldwide are macadamia! One of the main reasons that macadamia nuts are expensive is because of their supply. Like most tree nuts, macadamia grow on trees, and this leads to a delay from planting to harvest.

Chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts fit the true definition of a nut. Peanuts and almonds do not meet the botanical definition of a true nut. Peanuts are actually legumes and a fleshy coat like a plum surrounds almonds. Whether they are true “nu*ts” or not, people throughout the world enjoy these fruits.

Despite having the word “nu*t” in its name, a coconut is a fruit — not a nut. In fact, a coconut falls under a subcategory known as drupes, which are defined as fruits that have an inner flesh and seed surrounded by a hard shell.

Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally. Chestnuts are an exception – they're lower in all types of fats and higher in starchy carbohydrate than other nuts.

Macadamia Nuts Are Nicknames 'The King Of All Nuts'

In some parts of the world, you may hear macadamia nuts referred to as the king of all nuts. While the root of this nickname isn't clear, it could be because macadamia nuts often come with a premium price tag or because they are revered as one of the tastiest nuts.

Macademia nuts, that are said to be world's most expensive nuts come with an array of benefits. Renowned Nutritionist Kavita Devgan elaborates on the health benefits of macadamia nuts, shedding light on their potential to enhance our vitality and contribute to a balanced lifestyle.

Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.

What should not be eaten with nuts? ›

And although nuts are a healthy choice by themselves, they'll quickly become detrimental to any diet when paired with sugary or salty toppings or mixes.

The shells are treated with heat, then removed to get to the nut inside. This is why cashews are never sold in the shell, and one reason they can be expensive. The cashew is beloved around the world because it has a rich flavor and many uses.

Walnuts are recognized as the oldest tree food known to man, dating back to about 7000 B.C. Considered food for the gods in Roman times, walnuts were named “juglans regia” in honor of Jupiter. Walnuts were introduced to California by the Franciscan Fathers in the 1700's.

Also called filberts, nutrient-dense hazelnuts are the sweetest of all nuts. Try adding toasted hazelnuts to green beans or toss in salad.

Nutmeg, water chestnut, butternut squash and shea nuts are not tree nuts (the term “nu*t” does not always indicate a tree nut) and are generally well tolerated by tree nut-allergic individuals.

Some examples of true nuts include acorns, chestnuts, and hazelnuts. On the other hand, the fruits of the cashew, almond, and pistachio plants are not true nuts, but are rather classified as “drupes.” Drupes are fruits that are fleshy on the outside and contain a shell covering a seed on the inside.