What is the History of Walnuts?

With a history that dates back to 7000 B.C., walnuts have the distinction of being the oldest tree food. Historians place the origin of raw walnuts in Persia. There the walnuts were a delicacy reserved for royalty.

The Progression of Walnuts

Over time, through the process of trading, walnuts made their way from Persia to Asia and the Middle East. Sea trade made the walnut available throughout the world. Walnuts in shell traveled well due to their protective shell. It is that protective shell that gives this nut a lengthy shelf life of up to three years.

California Walnuts

When walnuts first arrived in California, they were called mission walnuts. Mission walnuts were smaller and had a harder shell than the walnuts we have today. In the late 1700s, Franciscan Fathers began cultivating walnuts. They were successful with their cultivation efforts. In 1867 Joseph Sexton started the first commercial plantings. Initially, the planting was done in the southern areas of California. About 70 years later, the commercial planting was moved to the Central Valley where growing conditions were better. Today, California supplies 99 percent of the commercial supply of walnuts in the United States. It also supplies about 50 percent of the walnuts sold worldwide.

Walnuts Today

Walnuts are the third most popular nut. With their long shelf life and many uses, it’s frugal to buy walnuts in shell. Walnut flour can be used in numerous ways. It is a great way to get the health benefits walnuts provide. Using raw walnuts, you can easily make walnut flour at home and explore the many ways to use it. Raw walnuts can be roasted to achieve a crisper texture and more intense nutty flavor. Roasted walnuts can be seasoned with spices such as cinnamon, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, or whatever seasoning you prefer to diversify their flavor. Roasted walnuts add an extra element of goodness to oatmeal and granola. They can also add extra nutrition and flavor when used as a topping for salad. Go ahead and roast a big batch of walnuts to conveniently have on hand whenever you want them. When stored properly, they will keep up to a year.