Brazil nuts or, castanha do Brazil, (Bertholletia excelsa), of which Amap State is one of the main producers. - - General: General. Brazil nuts are three sided, with white flesh that contains 70 percent fat or oil and 17 percent protein. The oil is extracted from the nuts and is commonly used to manufacture soap. The nuts are eaten raw or grated and mixed into gruels. In the Brazilian Amazon, it is a valuable source of calories, fat and protein for much of the rural and urban population.