otanical: Phytelephas, size: length approx. 4cm, origin: Brazil. The tagua nut (ivory nut, stone nut, coruscon nut, vegetable ivory) is a palm fruit that comes from Central America or South Africa. The grapes have a maximum weight of 12 kg. The palm tree reaches a height of 7 m. After harvesting, the tagua nuts are soft and tasty. The tagua nut achieves its great hardness through drying. Inside is a cavity. The pulp is used to prepare a South American fermented drink ("Chicha de Tagua"). The nuts were brought back from America as ballast on ships in the last century and were thrown into the sea in Europe when the cargo was unloaded. Tagua nuts have been on the market since 1826. They replace ivory and are used primarily for carving, for making buttons.
