When to Harvest Walnuts? The Latest Harvest Time and Precautions

Walnut growers are now about to start harvesting. Walnuts have good economic value, so growers are very happy when it comes time to pick walnuts. But when is the best time to pick walnuts, what should be prepared for picking, and what should be noted? How should they be handled after picking before they can be sold? Let's find out right away.

1. Harvest Time

Some regions have a habit of selling fresh walnuts, picking the green fruit directly while the walnut flesh is still relatively tender, then peeling it and selling it directly. However, if the fruit is to develop fully and be easy to store, harvesting must be done later, because walnuts take a relatively long time to mature; a little later, the fruit can solidify and the flavor is good. Fruit harvested early has a dark color, and after drying, the seed coat is bitter and astringent. Fruit harvested later becomes lighter in color and has a stronger aroma.

2. Harvesting Methods

Walnut trees are relatively tall. When harvesting, people often knock the fruit down from under the tree with a bamboo pole or wooden stick, so there is no need to climb the tree, and the knocked-down fruit will not be damaged, because the outer layer will be removed anyway. But it is quite likely that some fruit is knocked too far away to be found. Or some cannot be knocked down. If climbing the tree to pick, pay attention to safety; actually picking is faster, and a ladder can be set up, which is more convenient, especially when the quantity is large, picking from the tree is better.

3. Processing the Fruit

For the harvested fruit, if the outer skin has split open, rinsing can begin; those that have not split open need to be piled together, and after a period of time they will split open. During this period, be careful to turn them at any time. Otherwise they easily rot and are hard to shell. After rinsing and peeling, wash with water immediately, otherwise moisture easily enters the fruit. Wash several times with clean water until the water runs clear. Put the washed fruit in the sun to dry, turning and drying it evenly, then check that the inner membrane is completely dry; once the fruit turns yellow, it can be stored.

4. Precautions

Note that bleaching powder was used for washing in the past, but for food safety, washing only with clean water is very good. As long as the fruit can be harvested well, any method can be used. Within three hours after peeling, it must be washed with water; if too much time passes, the kernel easily discolors and rots. When drying, do it in a clean place, not one with soil or other things.

Walnuts are suitable for later harvesting, and the fruit tastes better, but those who like to eat them fresh can harvest earlier. Choose a safe harvesting method. The fruit can only be stored after a series of processing steps.