| The COROZO (a.k.a. TAGUA) NUT refers to the seed of
the TAGUA palm tree native to equatorial South America. This
tree grows very slowly and bears fibrous nuts in 15 years. If
this fruit falls to the ground when fully ripe, it is harvested
and dried under the tropical sun for about 3 months. Then the
gelatin of the nut ripens and becomes a hard white substance
resembling animal ivory. As this fully dried COROZO NUT
is used as substitute for animal ivory, it is sometimes called
IVORY NUT. After drying, the nuts are husked by machine
and sorted by size and quality. They are sliced thinly so that
they can be used as raw materials for buttons, and then they
are processed according to button sizes. In fact, the COROZO
BUTTON has been produced in Italy since the 19th century,
and used as decorations for the finest garments of the world.
At one time it took a backseat to low-priced plastic buttons
and was in poor demand, but in recent years as people began
to look at natural materials in a new light, its applications
are increasing dramatically. Along with the BUFFALO HORN
BUTTON, it is maintaining its reputation as a top-of-the-line
natural material. In addition, the COROZO NUT is used
as various accessories, chess pieces, and reeds for musical
instruments, and the powder left over from the manufacturing
process is used as feed for animals. |
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