What do you think of when you hear: “Brazil?” I’m guessing it’s Rio de Janeiro, the famous soccer team, beautiful weather and landscapes…but what about nut butter?
You may be surprised to hear this, but Brazil is actually home to an awesome spread that’s been making noise in the keto community! It’s appropriately named Brazil nut butter, and is absolutely delicious, making it one worth checking out!
We’ll also take a closer look at cashew butter, which is another awesome spread that really embodies some of the greatest things about nut butters, including a deliciously thick and creamy texture!
Now, what if you could only get one of these spreads? Well, we’ll look at exactly that in this article, making these two compete in things like flavor profiles, nutritional qualities, diet versatility and much more! Then, you’ll see which of these two is better, deciding the ultimate spread!
Let’s check them out!
Comparing Brazil nut butter vs cashew butter
Brazil nut butter and cashew butter share milder tastes and creamy textures. They’re also both made with nuts, giving them tree nuts as allergens. You’ll also be able to enjoy both in vegan and paleo diets (as long as the cashew butter is unsweetened), with Brazil nut butter having the added benefit of working in keto diets, unlike cashew butter.
Both spreads have low glycemic indexes, which makes them great choices if you’re watching your blood sugar levels, as these won’t spike them – talk to your physician if you have any concerns here!
Brazil nut butter | Cashew butter | |
Taste | Mild, buttery | Mild, nutty, sweet |
Texture | Creamy, smooth | Thick, creamy |
Allergens | Tree nuts | Tree nuts |
Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
Paleo? | Yes | Yes (if unsweetened) |
Keto? | Yes | No |
Glycemic index (GI) | Brazil nuts=10 | 1 oz cashews= 25 |
What is Brazil nut butter?
Brazil nut butter is made by grinding Brazil nuts down into a smooth and creamy spread. These nuts are usually roasted first, which enhances their flavor! The only other ingredient is some salt, which makes it really simple to make Brazil nut butter at home!
This spread is full of selenium, which is a mineral that’s important in promoting a healthy immune system, along with some other great health benefits. However, too much selenium can cause some health problems – too much of a good thing can be bad! So, talk to your physician first if you have any concerns!
What is cashew butter?
Cashew butter is made by grinding down cashew nuts into a thick and creamy spread. It has a mild, nutty, and sweet taste that’s really delicious, but many brands add extra sugar to further enhance their taste, so check the label!
Roasting the cashews before grinding them also enhances their flavor, but you can use roasted or raw ones if you want to make cashew butter at home!
Differences between Brazil nut butter and cashew butter
The biggest differences between Brazil nut butter and cashew butter are their tastes and textures.
Although they share a mild taste, Brazil nut butter has a light and buttery flavor that’s not overpowering at all, while cashew butter has a mildly nutty taste with sweet undertones.
Looking at their textures, they also share similarities in that they’re creamy, but Brazil nut butter boasts a very smooth texture, while cashew butter is a lot thicker – both spreads are really great to, well, spread!
We’ll take a look at their nutritional differences in just a bit!
How to use Brazil nut butter vs cashew butter
You can get creative and use both spreads in basically all the same ways!
Of course, they’re great as spreads on toast, pancakes, and waffles, but you can use either of them as ingredients in bakes! Their flavors aren’t overpowering, so they’ll mix nicely with other ingredients while giving a slight twist to your dish!
You can also mix them into your smoothies and oatmeal, or even into your pasta and salads if you want a nutty twist!
Brazil nut butter can be used to make Brazil nut milk at home, and cashew butter can be used for cashew milk, offering some great refreshments!
Nutrition: Brazil nut butter vs cashew butter
Brazil nut butter has a solid source of healthy fats, while providing very few carbs – this makes it great for keto diets! It also boasts 4 grams of protein per serving, with 0 sugar and 2 grams of fiber per serving!
Cashew butter matches Brazil nut butter for 190 calories per serving, as well as protein content. It also is a great source of healthy fats, but has one of the highest carb contents out of all nut and seed butters with 9 grams of net carbs per serving!. And again, a lot of brands will add sugar, so be sure to check the labels!
Serving size: 2 tbsp | Brazil nut butter | Cashew butter |
Calories | 190 | 190 |
Total fat (saturated) | 19 g (4.5 g) | 16 g (3 g) |
Total carbs | 4 g | 10 g |
Net carbs (fiber) | 2 g (2 g) | 9 g (1 g) |
Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | 3 g (4 g) |
Protein | 4 g | 4 g |
How to store Brazil nut butter and cashew butter
Brazil nut butter and cashew butter should both be stored in the fridge, as neither usually have added oils and preservatives in them. That’s great, but it makes these spreads more prone to going rancid, which we can combat by putting them in the fridge. You can stir these two before storing them to help prevent oil separation too!
Most nut butters last 2-3 months after opening, but be sure to check the labels for specific storage instructions and best-before dates!
Brazil nut butter vs cashew butter: The ultimate verdict
So, which spread comes out on top?
Brazil nut butter boasts a smooth and buttery spread that fits into many different diets. It also has selenium in it, which is quite neat!
Cashew butter has that thick and creamy texture that’s absolutely mouth-watering, with a great taste as well!
Looking at everything, I like both spreads a lot, but Brazil nut butter takes the win here for its extra dietary versatility and slightly better nutritional profile with less sugar and extra selenium!
FAQs
Yes, Brazil nut butter is perfect for keto diets because it has low carbs and a decent protein content, along with healthy fats!
Cashew butter sometimes has added sweeteners and sugar in it, which makes it unsuitable for paleo diets. Brazil nut butter does not, making it the more consistent choice. Make sure to check the label first for cashew butter!
No, Brazil nut butter has its own unique taste, boasting a mild and buttery flavor. Peanut butter tastes like peanuts, and tends to have a saltier flavor profile.
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