The walnut tree is deciduous plant that belongs to the family Juglandaceae. It originates from Central Asia and Europe. Walnut trees grows on fertile soil, in areas that provide enough moisture and direct sunlight. According to some researchers, walnuts have been part of human diet for nearly 10,000 years. People consume 2.5 million tons of walnuts each year. Most commercially available walnuts originate from California, which is the greatest producer of walnuts in the world. Walnuts have high nutritional value and are very beneficial to human health. Additionally, walnut trees are cultivated for their high-quality wood for application in numerous industries.

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Food Use

Walnut meats are available in two forms: in their shells or shelled. The meats can be halves or smaller portions that occur during processing. Walnuts can be candied or added to other food items and recipes. For example, walnut pie is prepared using walnuts as the main ingredient. Walnuts are also popular in brownie and muffin recipes and as dessert toppings, like ice cream. All walnuts can be eaten on their own raw, toasted, pickled, or as part of a snack, trail, or muesli mix.

Walnut oil is available commercially and is chiefly used as a food ingredient particularly in salad dressings. It has a low smoke point, which limits its use for frying.

Walnut is the main ingredient of Fesenjan, a khoresh (stew) in Iranian cuisine.

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Interesting Walnut tree Facts
– Walnut trees can reach 40 to 60 feet in height and develop a crown of the same size.
– Bark of walnut tree is smooth and greenish-brown when the tree is young. It becomes grey and covered with fissures when the tree grows old.
– Walnut trees has feathery leaves that consist of 5 to 9 alternately arranged leaflets.
– Walnut trees has strong and deep taproot. They produces chemicals (called juglones) which prevent growth of other plants in the close proximity to the tree.
– Male flowers are arranged in dropping catkins. Female flowers are short and spiky. They are arranged in the clusters that consist of 2 to 5 individual flowers. Flowers can be cross- or self-pollinated.
– Walnut trees produces stone fruit covered with green husk. Seed kernels are protected brown shells.
– Walnut is known as “karyon” in Greek language, which means “head.” Name originates from the fact that walnut shells looks like a skull which protects brain-like kernels located beneath it.
– Due to high amount of oils in the kernel, walnuts becomes rancid after exposure to the atmospheric oxygen. Brown shells delays this effect and keeps the seed fresh and tasteful.
– Walnuts are rich sources of vitamins A, E, K and vitamins of the B group and minerals such as manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.
– Walnuts can be consumed as snack or as a part of desserts, salads, and food dishes.
– Around 30 different varieties of walnuts are used in human diet. Walnuts can improve blood flow, reduce cholesterol levels, decrease inflammation, and accelerate wound healing. Despite these beneficial properties, walnuts may induce strong allergic reactions in sensitive persons.
– Compounds extracted from the leaves of walnut trees can improve function of the liver, kidneys, and also reduce blood sugar levels
– Pigments isolated from the green husk are used for dyeing of fabrics.
– Walnut shells are used in the production of grit paper, glues, plastics, and cleaning products. Walnut wood is used for the manufacture of flooring, furniture, musical instruments, panels, veneers and gunstocks.
– Lifespan of walnut tree depends on the species. Walnut trees can survive from 50 to 250 years.