Walnuts

Description

Walnuts have a distinctive, slightly bitter, buttery flavor with earthy notes and a delicate crunch; the kernels are wrinkled, creamy-brown, often found in a hard, brown shell. They pair wonderfully with salads, oatmeal, and yogurts, enhance bread, cakes, and cookies, and add depth to sauces, pesto, and meat dishes, while also being great on their own as a healthy snack or as an ingredient in breakfast muesli. Walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (including ALA — omega-3), protein, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals such as magnesium, copper, and manganese, which support heart health, cognitive functions, and have anti-inflammatory effects. Due to their high fat content, they can easily lose freshness, so store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place; once shelled, it's best to keep them in the refrigerator or freezer, which extends their shelf life and prevents rancidity.