Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600670
08/03/99
NUTS-POSTHARVEST HANDLING
For best color and flavor, nuts such as black walnuts
should be hulled soon after gathering. If not hulled
quickly, the bitter fluid secreted in the hulls penetrates
the nutmeat, discoloring nuts and impairing flavor. Also,
leaving nuts in the hull encourages mold growth. Gloves
should be worn to protect hands from the near-permanent
stain secreted by the hull.
Once gathered, freshly fallen nuts must be "cured" or
dried before storage as the nutmeats are still quite moist
and almost juicy. Uncured nuts are difficult to crack and
have a "green", bitter taste.
Before drying, immerse nuts in water and discard any
diseased or rotten nuts which float to the top. This
soaking also removes any accumulation of dirt or insects on
the shell.
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to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base 01 on 05/29/03.
Data base 01 was last revised on 08/03/99.
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