The Tagua Nut

Tagua, also known as "Tagua nut, corozo nut, ivory nut or just vegetable ivory", with its most common name as "Tagua (tah-gwa) Nut". Tagua is a fruit seed that comes from the Phytelephas Macrocarpapalmtree that grows in the tropical rainforests of South American. Etymologically, the term Phytelephas Macrocarpa is derived from the Greek phyton: plant and elephas: elephant, making reference to the ivory. The nuts ranges in size from a cherry to a grapefruit and are very similar to the animal ivory in texture, hardness and color, but unlike animal ivory, the Tagua nuts do not involve killing of the palm tree which means no harm to nature as it is harvested once the Tagua nuts cluster fall to the ground. We carry full line of Tagua beads, tagua slices, tagua slices pendants, Tagua rounds, Tagua games, tagua buttons and much more. Check our Tagua Bead Catalog and Tagua slices catalog to see some of these great pieces.

The Acai beads

Euterpe oleracea or Acai (Ah-si-ee) grows throughout South America and primarily in Northern Brazil. The açaí palm or aqai (Euterpe oleracea) is a species of palm tree in the genus Euterpe cultivated for their fruit and superior hearts of palm. Its name comes from the European adaptation of the Tupian word ïwasa'i, '[fruit that] cries or expels water'. Global demand for the fruit has expanded rapidly in recent years, and açaí is now cultivated for that purpose primarily. The berries are harvested as food. In a study of three traditional Caboclo populations in the Amazon region of Brazil, açaí (pronounced [a.sa.i]) palm was described as the most important plant species because the fruit makes up a major component of their diet, up to 42% of the total food intake by weight. It is a staple food to the local populations in Amazonas and Para and in some areas is even more popular than milk. When we are traveling in Brazil, we will often go to the market and purchase a liter of fresh squeezed acai pulp for what is equivalent to a $1.00. The rest of the world has also now become acquainted with this wonderful super food. You can find many different drinks and supplements with just a stroll through your local grocery store. Now days, the Acai beads are also very popular and you can easily find them in natural handmade jewelry. We carry full line of Acai beads and Acai beads jewelry. Take a look in our Acai beads Catalog.