How to choose the right walnut?

Walnuts are sold in many different forms. In addition, there are also many varieties of them. Some of their varieties differ in the appearance and shape of the fruit. Round walnuts are believed to have a much thicker shell than oval varieties.

Walnuts can be sold in the following types:

• inshell nuts;
• nuts without shell, not crushed;
• crushed nuts without shell;
• walnuts with additional ingredients (chocolate, glaze, syrup, etc.).

Visually, the walnut, regardless of the species in which it is sold, should look clean and fresh. If the kernels smell like mold, then you can’t buy them. If, when examining walnuts, suspicions of their quality arise, then it is better to refuse to buy even if there are minor flaws.

How to choose walnuts

The quality of a walnut can be assessed not only at the time of purchase, but also after purchase. The kernel is separated from the shell by a characteristic septum. The lighter the shade of this film, the tastier the nut will be.

The nuances of choosing walnuts:

• the walnut shell is covered with characteristic wrinkles, but on its surface there should be no spots, plaque, damage or other defects (in addition, the nut must be absolutely clean);
• walnuts must be dry (moisture causes kernel rot);
• if you knock one nut on another, then a clear and loud knock should be heard (a dull sound will be a sign of the spoilage of the kernel);
• the walnut shell is light brown in color (the color is uniform and should not contain darkened or light areas);
• the surface of the walnut kernel should not be oily (oil is released only if stored improperly or too long);
• the weight of the nut should be proportional to its size (in light nuts, the kernel can be so dry that it resembles a black crust);
• crushed walnuts can have a bitter taste (the more the nut is crushed, the stronger the bitterness will be);
• the aroma of walnut kernels must be characteristic of this variety (any extraneous odors are not permissible);
• the shell of the walnut kernel is always golden in color (too dark kernels will be spoiled and have a bitter taste);
• when shaking the walnut, the kernel should remain motionless and not make any sounds (if there is a sound, then the kernel is too dry or already spoiled).

If walnuts are bought packaged, then the packaging must be inspected. In addition to the expiration date, it is necessary to check for defects. If there is garbage in the nuts, the packaging is open, there is condensation inside it, and there is plaque on the kernels, then you should not buy such a mixture. It is necessary to refuse the purchase if there is even one of the indicated signs. In addition, packaging containing walnut kernels should not be completely transparent. Manufacturers can leave only small transparent “windows” for visual assessment of the content.

What walnuts can not be bought:

• you should not buy wet nuts, regardless of whether they are sold in the shell or without it;
• the walnut in the shell should not be cold;
• if green shell particles remained on the walnut, then they were torn off immature (the taste properties of such nuts will be violated);
• buying nuts with damaged shells is not worth it;
• it is not recommended to buy inshell walnuts if their weight is too light (the kernel may be dry or spoiled);
• it is worth abandoning the purchase of walnuts if holes are visible on their shell (the kernel will be damaged by parasites or insects);
• under no circumstances should you buy nuts with signs of mold (mold, even when washed off, can cause serious poisoning);
• stains or plaque on the shell (as well as the surface of the kernel) should be a reason for refusing to buy.

Between buying walnuts in shell and without it, it is better to give preference to the first option. It is easier to determine the quality by the shell, and the shell reliably protects the kernel, extending its shelf life.