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Walnut orchards
"Nothing grows under a walnut tree"
Native to Eurasia, the common walnut is grown for its wood, which is used in cabinet-making, and for its oil-rich nuts. This fast-growing tree can reach 20 to 25 m in height. The fruit are drupes containing a shell (kernel) inside which is a reticulated almond, the kernel.
The saying "nothing grows under a walnut tree" refers to juglon, a chemical substance secreted by the tree, which oxidises on the ground and prevents the growth of plants in its vicinity. The walnut tree is therefore a member of the "Juglandaceae" family.
France is Europe's leading walnut producer, producing almost 35,000 tonnes a year. Its leading production region is the Dordogne with 13,300 tonnes, followed by Isère with 7,085 tonnes. In the east we find the protected designation (AOP) "noix de Grenoble", while in the south-west we find the "noix du Périgord".
The walnut harvest
The walnut harvest usually lasts from September to October. In preparation, the grass in each orchard is cut close to the ground or grazed by our little sheep. This makes harvesting much easier.
Harvesting machine
Cleaning and sorting
Drying the walnuts
When the bugs (green husks) open, this is the sign that the nuts have reached maturity. Some will fall naturally to the ground, while the majority will fall thanks to the mechanical shaking of the vibrator (an arm attached to a tractor). This stage optimises the number of passes made by the harvester, which will make several passes to collect all the nuts in the orchard.
The nuts are then washed, sorted by hand and dried in an oven before being shelled into walnut kernels. The result will be halves of kernels on one side and harlequins on the other. In other words, invalid parts of walnut halves. The latter are often used in pastry-making or baking.
Our walnut varieties
Vergers du Sud-Ouest" has three different varieties of walnuts :
- Lara: A variety from Gironde, this plump walnut has no bitterness. Tasty, it is ideal for eating fresh or nibbling.
- Fernor: Of a large size, the Fernor is a cross between the Lara and the Franquette. The very white kernels are well-flavoured, with a nutty aroma. The ideal nut for your creations and desserts.
- Franquette: This elongated walnut with its blonde, fleshy kernel has a surprisingly nutty flavour.
Very crunchy, sweet and at the same time slightly spicy, this nut will surprise you. This is by far my favourite nut.