Almonds and peanuts may be the world’s most popular nuts, but in terms of taste and nutrition, walnuts can certainly hold their own. With their rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture, they are not only perfect as snack food but are welcome additions to a variety of dishes. What’s more, regular consumption of walnuts will make your body healthier. While they are certainly good for eating, they are also worth knowing; and here are some walnut facts that you might find interesting.
- Trees have long been the source of food for humans, providing edibles from seeds, nuts, fruits, leaves and even sap. The walnut, however, holds the distinction of being the oldest known tree food, as our ancestors have been eating them since 7000 B.C.
- Walnuts originated in Central Asia but it was transported by traders to different parts of the world.
- Walnuts were brought to California in the 18th century. Today, this U.S. state produces 75% of the world’s supply of walnuts.
- Due to its appearance, with the shell shaped like a human skull and the kernel resembling a brain, walnuts have always been regarded as “brain food.” Recent studies have proven that they do promote brain function because of their Omega-3 fatty acid content.
- The walnut is hailed as the most heart-friendly nut. It contains significant amounts of alpha linoleic acid or ALA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid that helps prevent blood clots and lowers the risk of ischemic heart disease. Health experts recommend consuming 8 walnuts a day for the maintenance of cardiovascular health.
- If you want to preserve the taste of a walnut, do not shell it. Oxygen in the atmosphere will turn the oils in the nut rancid and spoil it.
- Most people eat fresh or roasted walnuts as a snack but there are other creative ways to incorporate them in your diet. Chopped walnuts can be added to salads to provide more crunch, or give baked desserts a nuttier flavor. Walnuts, along with fresh fruit, will make your breakfast yogurt not only more delicious but a whole lot healthier. Ground walnuts can likewise be used as a substitute for breadcrumbs when cooking fish and chicken fillets.
- The black walnut is the tallest variety of walnut tree and can grow to a height of more than 100 feet.
- Walnut trees can live up to 250 years.
- The walnut tree’s roots are strong and deep. It enhances its survival through a phenomenon called allelopathy, where the roots secrete chemicals called juglones that inhibit the growth of other plants near it.