In stores, we buywalnutswith or without shell. Already dried and prepared for storage. But how to deal with those green, spherical nut fruits growing on the tree in our garden? What is the bestwalnut harvest timeand how long can it be stored? Our expert answers all these questions. Seewhen to collect walnuts and how to store themto keep them fresh for as long as possible!
Walnuts from our own collection
When to collect walnuts?
Before explaining what thebest term for harvesting walnuts is , it is worth explaining exactly how the fruit of a walnut is composed. The edible part inside the husk is the seed. It is surrounded by a hard shell in the form of a woody shell. Nuts growing on the tree are additionally covered with a fleshy, green cover, which easily peels off the shell in autumn. People who buy dried nuts in stores may have never seen this shell and not even know it is there. We will see it onlycollecting nuts from under the tree by ourselves
The harvest date for walnuts is from the end of September to OctoberThe exact maturation date depends on the variety and the weather of the year. However, having a walnut tree in the garden, we can easily determine the harvest date by observing the plant we have. Well,walnuts can be harvested after falling from the tree, when the green shell bursts spontaneously and can be easily separated from the shell We collect only the nuts in the shell, and discard the shells.
Cracking shells are a sign that the nuts are ripe
Good to know!
At another time, walnuts are collected for the tincture - a nutcracker. Well,for a nutcracker, the best are still unripe nuts , which can be easily cut with a knife. Usually the nuts are harvested for a nutcracker in July.
How to store walnuts?
Nuts are best stored in their shells , which protect the edible part from excessive drying, mold and the loss of valuable nutrients. In particular, it is the fat in walnuts that becomes easily rancid. The shells effectively protect against this.
First, however,fresh nuts must be driedIt is best to put them into a wicker container or an openwork bag after harvesting and leave in a ventilated, warm and dry place.It can be directly in the sun, in an attic, attic or in a shed. Of course, we dry the walnuts in their shells.
Walnuts can be dried and stored in wicker baskets
Drying walnutsis very important because if we do not, our crops will start to go moldy. However, you should not dry the nuts too intensively, because then they lose their value and become unpalatable, quickly becoming rancid and bitter. Therefore, we do not dry them in the oven or place them directly on the radiator. Drying should not cause the shells to crack.
Good to know!
Few varieties of walnut, such as 'Red Cherry' (this variety are very large and their flesh is slightly pink in color) are not suitable for drying, and therefore also for storage. You have to eat them immediately fresh.
The dried nuts can be stored at a normal temperature.roomfor many months. They can be in a linen or cotton sack or an airy basket. However, if you notice that at least one nut becomes covered with mold, the entire basket of nuts must be discarded. Probably the mold has already penetrated the inside of all the nuts ( although you can't see it outside yet).
Walnuts can also be stored in air-permeable cloth bags
After peeling from the shells,nuts should be put into a closed container(e.g. in a jar) or into a paper bag. Shelled nuts can also be frozen in the freezer.
