Walnuts

From the Central Asian walnut forests to the varietal orchards of China, Chile and California: the walnut does not have one global kernel standard.

The choice begins with the form: halves are needed for serving, pieces for filling, grinding for sauce. The color, size and yield of the kernel are specified by batch.

The country helps to understand the geography and season of delivery; variety, year conditions and processing explain the differences more accurately.

History

Eurasian history

Juglans regia is also known as Persian or English walnut. Its natural history is linked to the broad belt of Eurasia, and Central Asia retains an important diversity of forms. We do not single out the only proven “homeland” here.

Forest and garden exist nearby

Walnut forests of southern Kyrgyzstan are an important genetic resource. In Uzbekistan, local breeding forms are documented: origin from Central Asia does not mean one variety or exclusively forest collection.

Regions and differences

Documented growing regions

The map and additional list cover 14 countries with documented cultivation. European additions are based on USDA 2021, India - USDA 2024, Ukraine - USDA 2025, Pakistan - FAO Historical Review 2001. This is not a complete global inventory or 2026 volume ranking. Coordinates are approximate; The origin of our party is confirmed separately.

California, USA

Large belt of varietal gardens; harvest in California typically occurs in late summer and fall.

After harvesting, the green shell is removed, the nut is dried in the shell and then, if necessary, cracked.

For whole halves, look at the sorting and scrap share, not just the country name.

Xinjiang, China

Plain plantings allow mechanization; USDA describes the development of light-nucleated forms and processing.

In the report for the 2025/26 season, harvesting began in early September 2025. This is the date of that harvest, not a permanent calendar.

Specify the variety, kernel shade, percentage of halves and drying parameters.

Yunnan, China

Yunnan's slopes make mechanization difficult; Shaanxi is also one of the producing provinces.

Within the country, the topography, varietal composition and post-harvest processing equipment differ.

Compare actual cleaning and drying of a specific shipment.

Metropolitana, O'Higgins and Maule, Chile

Central and southern zone of Chilean gardens; these three regions accounted for the bulk of the planting area in the 2025 report.

This is the southern hemisphere. The month of export cannot automatically be considered the month of harvest.

Request harvest year and processing date separately from shipping date.

Hamadan, Iran

A university study of local genotypes showed remarkable diversity in the fruit.

Shell thickness, kernel yield, and weight varied; The country itself does not set these parameters.

Specify the yield of the edible kernel and the variety, if known.

Manisa, Türkiye

Chandler has been studied in commercial orchards at different altitudes.

Even within one variety, characteristics changed with year and site altitude.

Don’t choose “high-mountain” just because of the promise—compare the party’s performance.

Jalal-Abad and Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan

Region of nut-fruit forests and work on their conservation.

Forest origin is a type of raw material source, not an automatic organic certification.

Check collection area and traceability.

Bostanlyk, Tashkent region, Uzbekistan

FAO describes the local forms Ideal, Bostanlykski and Tonkoskorlupi.

The names reflect the selection diversity; thin shell refers to certain shapes.

Ask for confirmation of the declared variety.

New Aquitaine and Occitania, France

Southwestern French Walnut Belt.

The 2021 USDA report differentiates this belt from the Southeast for crop weather conditions.

Compare the year of harvest and the condition of the kernel.

Auvergne - Rhone - Alps, France

South-eastern region with the tradition of Noix de Grenoble.

The protected name refers to the certified product.

If special status is indicated, request confirmation.

Campaign, Italy

The USDA recognizes the southern varieties Sorrento and Malizia.

Lara and Chandler are found in northern gardens.

Choose a confirmed variety for the desired kernel size.

Jammu and Kashmir, India

Top Indian Manufacturing Area in USDA 2024 Report.

There are paper, thin, medium and hard shells; Regular cleaning is at the end of August and September.

For the in-shell form, kernel yield is especially useful.

Himachal Pradesh, India

Another growing area; USDA also lists Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Here you can find varieties Gobind, Eureka, Franquette and others.

Check the variety and harvest season.

Northwestern mountainous regions, Pakistan

FAO documents local production and trees grown, along with natural plantings.

The 2001 historical survey describes households and the domestic market rather than the modern export ranking.

Check the harvesting area and post-harvest processing method.

• Romania
• Spain
• Ukraine

Types and processing

Halves

Large fragments of the core retain a recognizable shape.

Pie decoration, plate with fruit.

Pieces

The size of the fragments is selected for filling or mixing.

Pastries, salad, filling.

Freshly ground

When grinding for a long time, oil is released and a paste is formed.

Sauces; For crumbs, grind in pulses.

Drying this product

After removing the green shell, the nut is dried for storage. This drying reduces moisture and is not the same as roasting the cleaned kernel. About the method

How to choose

• Check the year of harvest and the date of packaging: these are different information.
• For in-shell purchases, check the kernel yield.
• Select the desired proportion of halves and scrap; provenance does not replace sorting.

In the catalog

• Shelled walnuts
• Walnut in shell