Product Specification
Project Story
Organic Certification
Kosher Certification

Product Description
The Ramón Nut (Breadnut) tree grows abundantly among the Mayan ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan and Tikal in Guatemala’s Peten, and is a dominant tree species that grows throughout lowland Central America. It is a large tree with a straight trunk averaging 3 feet in diameter and reaching heights up to 120 feet (36.5 meters), towering above the ancient Maya temples and pyramids. The fruits or “berries” are a yellowish-green or orange color, and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Inside the fruit (berry) is the nut (or seed).

Other Common Names
Breadnut, Iximché (The Corn Tree), Maya Nut, Ujushte, Capomo, Masico and Ojoche

Project Story
ForesTrade directly sources our Ramón Nut from small-scale producers in Guatemala’s Peten and Central Highlands. In the Peten community of Uaxactun, we work with 150 families, who live within the Multiple Use Zone of Central America’s largest tropical rainforest, the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR). MBR spans 2,113,000 hectares and is home to the important Mayan archeological site of Tikal, as well as home to many rare and endangered species. It is here, in the Peten, that Ramón trees are one of the most dominant and widely distributed tree species and play an important ecological role in terms of forest cover and watershed conservation.

ForesTrade’s Ramón Nut Project has partnered with local community organizations and Non Government Organizations (NGOs), such as SANK and Counterpart International to promote Ramón as a new cash crop. These collaborations have helped stimulate economic development in the Peten by increasing local incomes and creating new work opportunities, especially for women.

In addition, the Ramón Nut plays a significant role in Rainforest conservation and preservation. By promoting sustainable harvesting and commercial viability of Ramón Nut as a Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP), the uses and value of these biologically rich forests greatly increase and so too does their preservation.

Harvest
View Harvest Calendar

Uses
To the ancient Mayans, Ramón Nut was an important food crop, especially at times of drought when corn yields were poor. Today, this ancient Mayan staple continues to offer a number of nutritional benefits, and its' versatility enables it to be used in many applications. These applications include: nutrition bars, flour based foods, protein drinks, tea & coffee alternatives and cereals. The whole dried nut is flavor neutral whereas the roasted nut has a nutty-cacao, coffee flavor.

While ForesTrade does not make any health claims about the Ramón Nut, it +-is considered to offer a number of nutritional benefits, as well as a wide range of culinary applications. Nutritional benefits include being a naturally complete protein; high in calcium, fiber, potassium and tryptophan. In addition, it is fat free, gluten free, lactose free and caffeine free.

** ForesTrade is in the final stage of its Ramón Nut GRAS Study.