Tagua nuts are found inside the spiny pod of the Tagua tree, which is indigenous to the South American countryside. Each pod can weigh up to 80 lbs. and contain 40 to 80 individual nuts. In Spanish, these pods are called “mocochas”. The scientific name of the Tagua plant (Phytelphas aequatorialis) means “Elephant Plant”.
Tagua is also known as vegetable ivory since the dried and polished seeds are very similar to elephant ivory in appearance. Because of this, the purchase of tagua products helps to reduce the slaughter of elephants.
The purchase of Tagua Seeds is an ecological incentive for preserving and replanting the rain forests. Tagua is a natural resource that can generate five times the income to an artisan than banana plantations or cattle ranches.