Walnut Harvest Season and Introduction to Main Varieties
Everyone knows that walnuts are a type of nut. The small walnut not only boosts brain function and fights aging; the latest research has also found that eating walnuts regularly can lower cholesterol in the human body, protect the cardiovascular system, and more. So when is the walnut harvest season? What are the main varieties?
Walnut Harvest Season
Harvest from August 25 to September 1: the walnut kernel is yellow-brown or light brown, the flavor becomes fragrant, and it is slightly astringent; harvest after September 1: the walnut kernel is white-yellow, with an oily fragrance and a crisp texture. Walnuts harvested later have a higher degree of maturity, the green husk splits open naturally, removing the green husk is easy, and after peeling the shell surface is clean and attractive, making them easy to sell.
In most walnut-producing areas, people generally harvest walnuts on the early side, because they fear losing walnuts, or fear that harvesting too late will affect wheat planting, or want to sell walnuts early at a high price. They have the habit of beating walnuts at “Chushu” (End of Heat), which is 10-15 days earlier than the suitable walnut harvest period. At present, many places still beat walnuts at “Chushu.” Although rushing walnuts to market early to sell at a high price brings in a bit more money, the total production of walnuts drops a great deal, product quality declines, the selling price falls, and overall income is greatly affected. In fact, the loss outweighs the gain.
Walnut trees planted here and there have less consistent maturity periods, while walnut trees planted in solid blocks have more consistent maturity periods. In river valleys, stream valleys, hills, and middle- and low-altitude mountainous areas, harvesting in early September is best; in high mountainous areas, early to mid-September is best. Walnuts mature around the “Bailu” (White Dew) solar term, and it is advisable to postpone harvesting by a few days; harvesting in stages and batches is best.