Learning the types of nuts with pictures and names helps students and ESL learners grow their English food vocabulary. Nuts are used in snacks, recipes, and healthy meals. This guide shows the most common nut names in English, with clear spellings and labeled pictures for easy memory. Each list is grouped to help match words with how the nuts look, taste, and are used.
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Common Types of Nuts with Pictures and Names
Nuts are small, hard-shelled foods that grow on trees or bushes. They are packed with protein and often eaten raw, roasted, or used in cooking. Below are some popular nut names in English, each with a short use-based description.
Almond
- A light brown nut with a soft inside
- Used in sweets, milk, and snacks
Cashew
- Curved, white nut with a smooth shell
- Often found in salted or roasted form
Walnut
- Rough, wrinkled nut in a shell
- Common in cakes and brain-boosting diets
Pistachio
- Green nut inside a split shell
- Used in ice cream and desserts
Hazelnut
- Round, brown nut with hard shell
- Key ingredient in chocolate spreads
Peanut
- Grows underground with a papery shell
- Popular in butter, snacks, and bars
Brazil Nut
- Large, triangle-shaped nut
- Rich in selenium and eaten raw or in mixes
Pecan
- Sweet, ridged nut often used in pies
- Similar to walnuts but smoother
Macadamia
- Round, creamy-white nut
- Known for buttery taste and high price
Pine Nut
- Small, soft seeds from pine cones
- Used in pesto and gourmet recipes
Chestnut
- Smooth, shiny brown nut
- Often roasted during winter
Tiger Nut
- Chewy, root-based nut-like tuber
- Used in health foods and drinks
Names of Tree Nuts in English with their Uses
These nuts grow on trees and are used in both sweet and salty foods.
- Almond – made into almond milk, sweets, and trail mix
- Walnut – added to bread, salads, and baking
- Pistachio – used in ice creams and dry snacks
- Brazil Nut – large, hard-shelled nut from South America
- Macadamia Nut – buttery and round; used in cookies
- Pecan – sweet flavor; used in pies and desserts
Groundnuts and Non-Tree Nut Varieties Name
Some nuts are not true tree nuts. These grow underground or are seeds but are still called nuts.
- Peanut
- Tiger Nut
- Pine Nut
- Water Caltrop (Singhara)
- Ginkgo Nut
- Lotus Seed (Fox Nut / Makhana)
- Chufa
- Breadnut
- Shea Nut
- Hickory Nut
Cooking and Snack Nuts Types with Examples
These nuts are used in everyday cooking or eaten directly as snacks.
- Cashew – added to curry, stir-fry, and sweets
- Peanut – roasted, salted, or turned into peanut butter
- Almond – sprinkled on cereal or used in almond flour
- Hazelnut – main nut in chocolate spread
- Pistachio – eaten raw, roasted, or in desserts
Sweet and Salty Nuts Names Grouped for Learners
Some nuts taste sweet, while others taste salty or strong. Sorting them by taste helps you remember their names better.
Sweet Nuts
- Pecan – naturally sweet and buttery
- Hazelnut – used in sweet chocolates
- Chestnut – mild sweet taste, roasted or boiled
- Almond – used in sweet milk and desserts
Salty Nuts
- Peanut – often sold salted or spiced
- Cashew – savory when roasted
- Pistachio – salted snack nut
- Brazil Nut – slightly bitter, often unsweetened
Hard Shell and Soft Shell Nuts List
Some nuts have very hard shells, while others are easy to crack. This list helps you learn nut names by how tough their outer shell is.
Hard Shell Nuts
- Walnut – tough outer shell, needs cracking
- Macadamia Nut – very hard shell
- Brazil Nut – thick shell, hard to open
- Chestnut – strong, shiny brown shell
Soft or Open Shell Nuts
- Pistachio – partly open shell, easy to eat
- Peanut – breakable with hands
- Cashew – sold without shell
- Almond – sometimes sold with thin shell
Easy Nut Names for Beginners and Kids
This list uses simple nut names for early learners.
- Peanut – small and easy to say
- Almond – often used in milk and sweets
- Cashew – curved shape, soft bite
- Pistachio – colorful and fun to crack
- Walnut – easy to spot because of shape
- Hazelnut – short word, used in chocolate
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