Fresh (Green) Walnut

What Are Fresh (Green) Walnuts?

Fresh walnuts are walnuts harvested early, before the fruit has ripened, while the outer husk is green and the inner shell has not hardened. In Türkiye, they are also known as “green walnuts” and are available at markets for a short period in summer.

At this stage, the kernel has not yet hardened and is juicy and soft; instead of the characteristic sharp, oily flavor of ripe dried walnuts, it has a milder, milky taste.

Fresh Walnut Nutrition Facts

Fresh walnuts provide about 450 kcal per 100 g; compared with dried walnuts, they have less fat and more water and vitamin C. Values vary with harvest time and are approximate.

How to Eat Fresh Walnuts

Fresh walnuts can be eaten as part of a balanced diet, along with foods from other food groups, as a nut.

This is general information; fresh walnuts are a food and are not a substitute for medical treatment. People with nut allergies should also avoid fresh walnuts.

How to Choose Fresh Walnuts

Good fresh walnuts have a vivid green, firm outer husk and a white, milky-colored interior. Those with darkened husks or hardened kernels may be past their season.

• The outer husk should be vivid green and firm
• When opened, the interior should be white and milky-colored
• The husk should not be bruised or rotten

How to Store Fresh Walnuts

Fresh walnuts stay fresh in the refrigerator for a few days; because they can darken quickly when exposed to air after peeling, they are best eaten soon.

Using Fresh Walnuts in the Kitchen

Fresh walnuts are most often eaten raw as a snack or used in some regional preserves and syrup-soaked desserts; making preserves with the husk on is a traditional use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between fresh and dried walnuts?

They are the same fruit at different stages of ripeness: fresh walnuts are juicy, soft, and mildly sweet, while dried walnuts are hardened, higher in fat, and sharper in flavor.

Why does the green walnut husk stain your hands?

Tannins in the husk oxidize when exposed to air and leave a dark brown stain; the stain may not come off easily with soap.

How is fresh walnut preserve made?

Fresh walnuts picked with their husks are soaked in water for days to remove the bitterness, then simmered with sugar for a long time to make a dark, aromatic preserve.