Buzz
Pili nuts, some shown here in their shells, are rich in protein, abundant in monounsaturated fats and magnesium, and brimming with antioxidants, vitamin E, and oleic acid. Tsungam/Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 4.0)When examining the ingredients of various vegan products, you'll likely notice nuts, such as almond milk, serving as a primary protein source. This is also true for vegan yogurt (yes, vegan yogurt exists, but that's a topic for another time).
Many vegan yogurts available today are crafted from non-dairy options like coconut milk, cashew milk, and soy milk. However, the brand Laava offers a plant-based yogurt made from pili nuts. Not familiar with pili nuts? Let us enlighten you.
Pili nuts (pronounced pee-lee) are nutrient-dense, teardrop-shaped nuts poised to become the next big thing in healthy snacking. Originating from Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and Northern Australia, they are primarily cultivated in the Philippines. These nuts grow on tall trees in volcanic soil and are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, offering both health benefits and a delightful flavor.
The benefits of these intriguing nuts extend far beyond their taste. Pili nuts are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, containing approximately 13 grams of good fats per ounce (28 grams). This gives them a rich, buttery texture with a flavor profile that combines hints of sunflower seeds, almonds, and macadamias.
Pili nuts are not just a source of monounsaturated fats; they are also brimming with antioxidants, vitamin E, and oleic acid. A single ounce provides 85 milligrams of magnesium, which is 20% of the daily recommended intake for adults.
In addition to their healthy fats, pili nuts offer 3 grams of protein per ounce (28 grams), a significant amount of vitamin E to boost the immune system, and phosphorus to strengthen bones and teeth.
What else can you do with pili nuts? Surprisingly, quite a lot. The pulp is edible when cooked, but the primary food source is the roasted nut. Uncooked nuts are occasionally used as a laxative, while the sweet oil is utilized in confectioneries. Roasted and powdered pili nuts are sometimes blended into chocolate to enhance its texture and flavor.
So, why hasn’t the pili nut dominated the health food market yet? One major reason is their challenging cultivation process. Pili trees take five to six years to produce fruit, and the nuts are only harvestable from May to October.
Additionally, pili nuts have extremely hard shells that are difficult to crack, even for machines. The shells are so tough that machines often damage the nuts during processing, making hand-shelling the preferred method to preserve the edible parts. This labor-intensive process makes them less attractive for large-scale commercial export.
However, change might be on the horizon. Pili Hunters, a well-known brand, gained significant attention after appearing on the popular TV show "Shark Tank" in November 2019. Founder Jason Thomas shared how he discovered the nut during a kitesurfing trip in the Philippines and became an instant fan. Although he didn’t secure a deal with the Sharks, the exposure helped bring pili nuts into the spotlight.
The pili nut is following a path similar to kale or Acai berries years ago. Poised on the brink of health food stardom, it’s ready to make a grand entrance and claim its place as one of the tastiest and most nutritious nuts available.
Thanks to the internet, purchasing pili nuts has become more accessible. However, due to the labor-intensive production process, they come with a high price tag. Prices typically range from $2 to $4 per ounce (28 grams), making them one of the most expensive nuts on the market.
