Walnut Resources

For detailed information on your walnut questions visit The Walnut Marketing Board, or for information specifically on black walnuts, visit Hammons Products.

Consumed since pre-historical times, the walnut has various origins, in East Asia, Southeastern Europe, North and South America. There exist more than 15 varieties of walnuts, but the two most popular are the English (also called Persian) walnut and the Black walnut. A close relative is the butternut, also referred to as the white walnut.

By far the most delicious and commercially important walnut is the English walnut. The Greeks gave it the name Kara (head), because of the resemblance with the human skull and brain. This similarity is the source of medieval beliefs of the healing properties of the walnut for any kind of headache.

Today, the world production of walnuts is spread over the U.S., France, China, India, Turkey, Italy, and Chile. They are marketed in shelled and in-shell forms and are primarily used as a snack, in desserts and confectionery, and for the preparation of several food products. Consumers and professionals enjoy adding walnuts to various culinary recipes including salads, pasta, main dishes and baked goods.