VANILLAGOODS / FRESH MARKET BUYING GUIDE

Walnuts: Buying, Storage & Baking Guide

Learn how to choose, store, and bake with walnuts, with quality checks and U.S. season guidance.

Nuts & seeds
Walnuts: Walnuts in and out of the shell

Look for

Clean, intact; minimal dust or breakage

Feel & texture

Dry; no moisture clumping

Aroma

Nutty and fresh, not paint-like, rancid or musty

What to avoid

Mold, pests, rancid oil odors

How to store

Airtight, cool and dark; refrigerate or freeze for longevity

Typical U.S. season

Typical U.S. months: Sep, Oct, Nov

Growing regions and availability

High-level growing suitability depends on variety, climate and local conditions.

Seasons and growing conditions vary by location and variety. Imported or stored ingredients may be available outside typical growing windows.

Visual buying guide

Walnuts, where it grows: Green walnut husks on a walnut tree branch

Where it grows

Walnuts, pick this one: Light golden, plump walnut halves

Pick this one

Clean, intact; minimal dust or breakage

Walnuts, skip this one: Dark, shriveled walnut pieces

Skip this one

Mold, pests, rancid oil odors

What can you bake with Walnuts?

Pralines, nut pastry, cookies

Explore walnut recipes →

Learn more about Walnuts

Definition, facts and sources in our Dessert Encyclopedia.

Read “Walnuts” in the Dessert Encyclopedia →

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