Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBreadnut Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Breadnut is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameBrosimum alicastrum
Janka hardness1,520 lbf
Average dried weight46.9 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Breadnut?
Breadnut is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and general construction
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameBrosimum alicastrum
DistributionSouthern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America
ShrinkageRadial: 5.4%, Tangential: 9.2%, Volumetric: 14.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityNon-durable; poor resistance to decay or insect attack.
Breadnut colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood and sapwood are both a pale yellow to light brown and are indistinguishable from each other. Another variety called ramon colorado can have a darker orangish brown false heartwood, often with darker streaks (frequency and extent of this coloration depends on growing conditions and age of tree).
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is usually straight, or irregular and shallowly interlocked, with a medium to fine texture. Moderate to high natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, can be difficult to work with hand tools on account of its grain and density—as well as a reported silica content of .68%, which can prematurely dull cutters. Irregular or interlocked grain can pose a challenge when machining, otherwise it has good machinability in straight-grained material.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with breadnut.
Breadnut should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Breadnut
Best projects
Veneer, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and general construction
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Breadnut from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Breadnut FAQ
What is Breadnut best used for?
Breadnut is best considered for veneer, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and general construction. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Breadnut beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Breadnut?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.