The Health Benefits of Pili Nuts (Our New Obsession)
Pili nuts, the oblong nuts that comes from Canarium ovatum trees native to the Phillipines, are similar in size and shape to the almond, but with a taste more reminiscent of Brazil nut. As far as richness goes, however, this new superfood is really in a league of its own.
Rich in heart-healthy omega fatty acids as well as vitamins and minerals like magnesium, manganese, and Vitamin B1, pili nuts have a rich, buttery taste that is seemingly unparalleled in the word of tree nuts. Most are sold free of annoying paper-like skins (looking at you, peanuts and almonds!) and they are distinctly sweeter and have something of an umami taste when compared to their closest biological cousins, tree nuts like macadamias and cashews.
We recently discovered these nutrient-rich powerhouses on an incidental excursion to a local health foods market. Since then we’ve discovered that there are a few brands making pili nut butter and other value-added items from this emerging new nut, which is naturally ketogenic, paleo, vegan, and gluten-free.
Of those brands, we like Pili Hunters‘ nuts the best because they are also environmentally and socially conscious:
“Pili nuts are grown without any destruction of the natural environment– harvested by hand in the mountains of the Filipino rain forest using a traditional strategy that respects the health of the rain forest and of local people,” they write.
“You’ll never find fancy wasteful boxes at your doorstep, our products arrive with the least amount of shipping materials as possible, using only recycled boxes without any paper invoices or receipts. We are constantly striving to be more efficient and environmentally friendly in our practices and pass [to] the savings on to our customers and the environment.”
Sprouting, of course, enhances the nutrition of these antioxidant-rich kernels, which are just proteinous and nutritionally dense enough to promote hair, skin, and heart health.
Plus, pili nuts taste like butter. Did we say that already?
