Pinhão is the seed of the Brazilian Pine (Araucaria angustifolia). It has a significant importance to Southern Brazil (Paraná, Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul States) and some places of Southerneast Brazil (Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais States). This importance is due to social, economical and environmental aspects.
Pinhão is a important component of traditional Souther Brazil dishes and regional festivals. It is a very appreciate food for winter in the cold days (in Southern Brazil temperature may be below 0 in winter) since it is rich in starch and some people eat drinking hot wine together.
Some small farmers have a extra money selling Pinhão in winter, and it is a good way to preserve araucaria trees, since araucaria in risk of extintion, and selling the seeds is a alternative to prevent the trees logging.
This seeds are very important for the native animals. Several mammals and birds eat Pinhão, and it has a important ecological role in Ombrophilous Mixed Forests (A sub-type of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest).
