Where do Brazil nuts grow?

Brazil nuts, which come from the fruit of the Brazil nut tree, grow in South America. While most commonly found in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, the tree also grows in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

The tree's fruit ripens in January and February. The fruit can grow to the size of a baseball and weigh up to 5 pounds. After ripening, the it falls from the tree, which stands upwards of 160 feet high. Roughly 10 to 20 nuts can be found within the fruit.

Brazil nuts are commonly used in baking recipes, such as cookies and brownies. The nuts can be served whole or chopped, cooked or raw, and they can be pressed for their oil.