White Tagua

Ecuadorian Tagua or “vegetable Ivory”

Vegetable Ivory, also known locally as corozo, is a name used for the tagua nut, which grows in the rainforests of South America.   Known scientifically as Phytelephas aequatorialis, the palm tree bearing tagua nuts grows 15 to 18 feet high in tropical rain forests both on the Pacific coast and in the Amazon lowlands of  Ecuador.  Crafts made from tagua nuts not only stimulate the economy of the artisans but provides an alternative to cutting down the rain forest for farming. 

Tagua nuts are sustainably harvested from the forest floor when the fruit pod, called “head” containing the nuts ripens and falls.  Inside this horned husk are the tagua nuts, which are hand collected and dried for approximately one and a half months.  The rock-hard nuts are covered with a brown, flaky skin which has to be taken off before carving. 

Stylish jewelry, a great variety of necklaces and earrings, buttons for upscale clothing, delightful carved animals, toys and souvenirs made from the tagua nut can be found in shops in Ecuador’s main cities.  Affordable and easily packed, tagua nut products make very appealing and unusual gifts for adults and children.

Often a small spot of brown nut is left on an otherwise all white carving so it is not mistaken for elephant ivory by customs officials. The caramel colored pieces are briefly deep fried to achieve this color, and new jewelry creations are dyed in many colors.

Shopping is  Ecuador’s secret weapon and the country is second to none in producing handicrafts of high quality at reasonable prices.

We also offer Tours to Ecuador and Galapagos Tours

About the Author

Gonzalo Alvarez

Woodcarving on gunstock, Art Nouveau style

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