The tagua nut is the seed of a particular variety of palm tree found principally in northern South America. It is a tree of slow growth. A tagua palm whose trunk has reached a height of seven feet (2 m) is at least 35 to 40 years old. Large fibrous clusters develop directly beneath the fronds. The cluster, usually weighing some 25 pounds (10 kg), consists of tightly packed woody fruits. Each fruit generally contains from four to nine seeds, which are roughly the size and shape of a hen's egg. In the first stage, the seed cavities contain a thirst-quenching liquid similar to coconut water. In the second stage, the liquid congeals into an edible sweet gelatine. In the third and final phase, the gelatine matures into a hard, white substance that remarkably resembles animal ivory.

The scientific denomination of the tagua nut is Microcarphas Phitelephas. In Ecuador it is locally known as "corozo", "mococha", "vegetal ivory", etc. It grows in the subtropical zone of the Andean chain of mountains of the provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas.

The vegetal ivory is not a recent discovery. As early as 1750, the south American friar Juan de Santa Getrudis referred to the seeds used to carve small figurines in his chronicles. In the late nine teeth century, Ecuador which was the largest source of this seeds was exporting thousands of tons of the nuts each year, primarily for the production of buttons.

The origin of the tagua was a well kept secret by the german in Europe, this bothered the italian manufacturers whom had to get the raw material in Germany. In order to discover the origin of the tagua they went to Africa first. The german sailboats would go to Europe through the Magellan strait and up the around the African coast to get to the port of Hamburg. The reason why they guessed the tagua came from Africa was because the sailors would carry tagua handicrafts with them. With the opening of the Panama Canal it became evident that the ships traveled faster and arrived to Europe more frequently and loaded with tagua. At the same time, a series of indiscretions and a bit of espionage allowed to reveal the commercial secret so jealously kept: the tagua came from Ecuador.

Later, after World War II, the introduction of new cheap plastics almost ruined the manufacture of tagua. Nevertheless, it has resurged and the total production of tagua in Ecuador is around one hundred thousand tons that are exported to Germany, the United States, Italy, Japan and other countries. Comparing a button made out of tagua and one of plastic is like pretending a comparison between a crystal cup and a glass one; there is no comparison. There are not two tagua buttons that are equal just like, there are not two equal snow flakes or two drops of water. That is why top fashion designers such as Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino Versace and Ginoccietti among others, began using tagua buttons for their fine, delicate and exclusive garments; hence the revival of the tagua in the 1970's surviving to this day.

Much more is made out of the tagua though: jewelry, chess pieces, piano keys, carved figurines and many other goods. But the tagua palm offers still more! The fine powder left after processing is used to enrich animal foods. It also serves as a combustible for making charcoal. The leaves of the palm make water-resistant roofing. Additionally, the harvesting and processing as well as the exportation of tagua provide employment for many. The environmentalists also appreciate the tagua because it usage prevent the killing of elephants and rhinos to got their ivory tusks.

So, then, if you wish to enjoy the luxury of the ivory without supporting the slaughtering of endangered species, remember the tagua nut.

Jackson Silva
www.mytropicalplanet.com