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Cracking the Shell: 10 Nutty Fun Facts about Walnuts You'll Go Nuts For!

illustration of walnuts
Get ready to go nuts over these cracking fun facts about walnuts that are sure to shell-shock your mind!

1. Persian Royalty's Nutty Past

Before walnuts cracked into the mainstream and went nuts with fame, they were exclusive tree-t treats hanging out with ancient Persian royalty: Originating from Persia, walnuts later gained traction in California, thanks to the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s, and now, California produces a shell-shocking 99% of the US commercial supply and half of the world's high-quality walnuts.
Source => walnuts.org

2. Celestial Brain Surgery Leftovers

Walnuts must have suffered a serious case of "nutty identity crisis" back in Roman times, when they were confused with celestial brain surgery leftovers: The Romans called them Juglans regia, or "Jupiter's glands", because they believed their beloved brain-like nut was connected to the mighty god – and the walnut's shape, encased in a rough shell while protecting four fleshy seeds, might have played a sneaky role in that divine mix-up!
Source => claranuts.com

3. Unsung Weight Loss Heroes

Walnuts: the unsung heroes of the weight loss world, sneaking into your diet like a Nutty Professor and blasting away those extra pounds! Who knew these little brain-shaped morsels are not only loaded with heart-friendly fats, plant-sterols, and vitamins, but also help to naturally curb your appetite while revving up the fat-burning engine within: As it turns out, just a handful of walnuts daily can fuel your weight loss journey by keeping you feeling full and shedding those pesky pounds more effectively.
Source => ndtv.com

4. Garden of Knowledge's Nutty Treasure

Watch out, Adam and Eve - walnuts are taking center stage in the Garden of Knowledge! This Kyrgyzstani village has taken 'going nuts' to the next level: Arslanbob is home to the world's largest natural walnut forest, producing an insane 1,200 tons of walnuts every year that go nuts all over the world, holding the village's economy firmly in their nutty embrace since the Soviet era.
Source => roadsandkingdoms.com

California's Record-breaking Harvest

5. California's Record-breaking Harvest

Hold on to your nutcrackers, folks, because California is about to wal-nut their way into the record books: The Golden State is expecting a whopping 745,000 tons of walnuts for the 2022-2023 season, thanks to trees planted a decade earlier now reaching full maturity, ensuring that they keep providing 99% of all the walnutty goodness in the U.S. market!
Source => freshplaza.com

6. Nutty Hand Cleaner Solution

Next time you're caught "nuts to knuckles" in grime, you might consider reaching for a classic treat to clean off: walnuts! Hold your giggles: the abrasive properties of walnut shells are actually an effective, biodegradable, and non-clogging ingredient in industrial hand cleaners, like Citrus Scrub Hand Cleaner with Walnut Shell Micro-Scrubs. Ideal for heavy-duty scrubbing, it comes in 4-gallon cases and the shells help keep hands moisturized while fighting off filth, even in areas without running water.
Source => streamlinesupply.com

7. Magical Walnut Hair Sorcery

If nutty professor hair is what you're after: Boiling walnut shells can conjure up a natural potion for dyeing those locks a dark and magical shade of brown! But be warned, this sorcery of the produce aisle may require the patience of a saint and may not last as long as your regular store-bought spells. In addition to transforming your tresses, these wondrous walnuts pack in heart-healthy fats to help lower cholesterol and keep your ticker in tip-top shape.
Source => glam.com

8. Slow-burn Walnut Oscar Stars

If a walnut tree were a Hollywood actor, they'd be the typecast as the slow-burn star that takes a lifetime to win their first Oscar: black walnut trees begin nut production at around 10 years of age, but don't achieve their award-worthy nut-making prowess until a whopping 50 years later, so best settle in for the long haul if you're looking to harvest these nutty movie stars!
Source => gardenguides.com

9. Youthful Heart-Boosting Nuts

Ever thought about making your heart go nuts, literally? Chow down on some trusty walnuts and watch your body thank you for years to come: According to a study published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, people who embraced walnut consumption in their youth enjoyed improved eating habits, better body composition, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases later in life — all thanks to these nutrient-packed nutty powerhouses!
Source => healthline.com

Bitter Party Guests & Sunbathing Warning

10. Bitter Party Guests & Sunbathing Warning

If walnuts threw a party, the tannin-filled skins would be the bitter guests you'd hope to avoid: The origin of their bitterness lies in the brownish skins surrounding the nut, which can be toned down by blanching or roasting them. Too much bitterness might just mean the walnuts are getting spoiled, so better bid them adieu! And remember, sunbathing is a big no for walnuts unless you're a fan of rancid oil.
Source => foodiosity.com

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