As you evaluate your options for the best walnut brands, consider Glenda’s Farmhouse. Our customers always receive only the very best organic walnuts at the most competitive prices.
Walnut Buying Guide
To enjoy the very best tasting walnuts, the first thing you should do is ensure that you are purchasing premium quality walnuts from a reputable supplier, such as Glenda’s Farmhouse, a brand of Andersen & Sons Shelling.
Since 1904, the Andersen family has been farming walnuts, prunes, and cattle in Vina, California, in California’s Central Valley. We have merged with Western Nut Company and are expanding into new brands and other tree nut products, such as cashews, almonds, and pecans. We think of our walnuts as the “go-to” nut of choice for consumer cooking, baking, and snacking.
Fresh unshelled walnuts:
- Buy whole walnuts in the shell for the freshest nuts with the longest shelf life.
- Unshelled walnuts should have a full and heavy feel. When you shake them gently and the nutmeat inside rattles, it signals that the walnut is old and beginning to dry out.
- Avoid walnuts with cracks or holes in their shells. The nutmeat inside will have been exposed to air and other elements, making it dry and inedible.
- Place the unshelled nuts in a bucket of water. Those that sink to the bottom are good; those light enough to float indicate that insects may have gotten to the nutmeat inside. Discard floating walnuts.
Freshly shelled walnuts:
- Buying whole, shelled walnuts is the next best thing to unshelled ones. For the best flavor, chop, dice, or grind them on the day you plan to use them or one day before.
- To ensure freshness, choose nutmeats that are plump and pale. Avoid overly wrinkled, shriveled, or rubbery nuts.
- Look for light-colored walnuts when you want a mild flavor with a fresh, buttery taste. Light amber-colored nutmeats will provide a robust flavor with a slightly sweet finish.
- Smell and take a nibble of the walnuts. Fresh walnuts will smell nutty and have a sweet, nutty taste. Walnuts that are bitter or smell like paint thinner are rancid and need to be thrown out.
How to Keep Your Walnuts Fresh
Walnuts naturally contain fats and oil, making it essential to store them properly. Exposure to warm temperatures for too long will alter the fat and oil and turn the nuts rancid. Here is the best way to store walnuts to maintain their freshness and delicious, crunchy taste.
- Keep Air Out: Like many fresh food products, minimal exposure to air will help walnuts retain their quality. Store them in air-tight containers or sealed packaging in a cool, dry place.
- Control Temperature: Walnuts last longer when kept in the refrigerator at 35 F to 40 F. If you don’t plan on using your nuts right away, you can also freeze them for up to one year.
- Avoid Storing with other Foods: Walnuts can absorb odors from foods with strong odors, like onions, so store them at a distance in air-tight containers or place the original package in a resealable heavy-duty freezer bag.
The best certified organic walnuts are from brands you can trust, such as Glenda’s Farmhouse. We guarantee you will enjoy healthy, high-quality walnuts in every bite you take. Get in touch with us at 530.839.2236 or reach out to us using our online contact form.