|
NEWS |
|
February is Heart Month Excerpt from February 2001 newsletter Patsy Flanigan
So what nut makes you think of the heart? Due to its ability to lower cholesterol and protect arteries, you might choose the walnut.
That is why this month we honor this wrinkled little fellow and take a moment to get to know him better. (Actually, he looks more like the human brain, and in folklore, it was said that walnut flowers benefited the mind.)
Ninety percent of U.S. walnuts are grown in California. In fact, there were major orchards in the Los Angeles area in the first half of the 20th century. Now we may still see a few trees left in backyards on the westside, but most are grown in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys
China is the largest producer of walnuts worldwide. They have overtaken the U.S. in quantity, but with their huge population, only a small percentage is exported. Quality does not yet meet U.S. standards. Other countries where the walnut is grown include Chile, France, India, Italy, and Turkey
When the walnut comes off the tree, it is encased in a green husk, which must be removed so that the nut can dry properly. Anyone with a tree knows of the walnut stain that can get on your hands from husking, if you forgot the gloves.
The wood of the black walnut tree has long been prized for furniture due to its beautiful grain and hardness. In the early days, these trees grew wild in the forest of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and other Midwest states. Some trees still remain.
The real prize, we now know, is that little nut itself, for its ability to help keep us healthy. We see it popping up everywhere in many ways. Sometimes spiced in salads, ground in veggie burgers, chopped in cookies and in a wide array of desserts. (Remember to be kind to your walnut friend. Keep him in the refrigerator for short term or freezer for long term storage.)
Yes, he is precious, that little wrinkled, yet tasty seed. For good reason, we honor the walnut as our Heart Healthy Nut of the Month. |
