Tagua nuts or seeds are contained in a pod, and a set of pods is called a cabeza, that grows on the tagua palm tree. When the pod is first taken from the tree, the nuts or seeds within that pod are very soft with the consistency of jell-O. They are edible and can be purchased at fruit and vegetable stands along the road ( photo left from Ecuador )
On the right you see a tagua pod cut in half with the edible nuts inside. Actually these had already started to dry and were not as green as is desired for eating.
Tagua nuts usually contain a hollow or soft center that is formed as the nut dries and hardens. Each nut also has a small stem that is softer and more porous than the outside inward to the center.
Tagua figurines are skillfully hand-crafted by Ecuadorian artisans. The raw material is a nut that comes from the Tagua Palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis) and highly resembles animal ivory in color and texture . The use of this nut has led to a wide variety of products from simple beads and buttons to intricate carvings and fancy jewelry. Some pieces have been made by incorporating other elements like coconut, cowhorn, wood and mother of pearl. Most pieces are individually packed in balsa wood boxes to fit each size. The game line offers various board games composed of Tagua pieces, and leather, wooden or black-striped palmwood boards.
