How many walnut kernels can be peeled from one kilogram of shelled walnuts

One pound of shelled walnuts usually yields about 200 to 300 grams of walnut kernels. The actual kernel yield is influenced by various factors such as walnut variety, maturity, shell thickness, dryness, and peeling method.

1. Walnut Varieties

There are significant differences in shell thickness among different walnut varieties. Paper skinned walnut shells are as thin as paper, with a kernel yield of over 50%, while thick shelled walnuts may have a kernel yield of only about 30%. High quality thin shell varieties such as Xinjiang Wen 185 are more suitable for families pursuing high kernel extraction rates.

2. Maturity

Fully matured walnut kernels are plump and compact, completely separated from the inner shell, and have a low breakage rate during shell peeling. Immature green skinned walnut kernels have a high moisture content and are prone to sticking to the inner shell after drying. When peeling, more broken kernels are produced, which affects the yield of kernels.

3. Shell thickness

The degree of lignification of walnut shells directly affects the difficulty of kernel extraction. The texture of the naturally cracked walnut shell is loose, and it can be fully harvested by hand with light pressure. Some artificially cultivated varieties may develop thick shell characteristics to extend their storage period, requiring the use of tools to break the shells.

4. Drying process

Traditional dried walnuts have uniform shrinkage of the inner and outer shells, and high integrity of the kernel coat. Walnuts dried at high temperatures may become brittle due to rapid dehydration, resulting in powdery broken kernels when peeled. Walnuts with a moisture content controlled at around 8% are the easiest to extract intact kernels.

5. Peeling Method

Manual shelling can maximize the integrity of walnut kernels, but the efficiency is relatively low. Although mechanical shell breaking has high efficiency, it is prone to causing kernel fragmentation. professional walnut pliers can accurately control the breaking force. For home use, it is recommended to choose walnuts with larger gaps and break them first before breaking them open. Walnut kernels are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. It is recommended to consume around 20 grams per day to meet nutritional needs. Freshly peeled walnut kernels should be sealed and refrigerated to avoid oxidation and spoilage. Walnuts with shells can be stored for longer in a cool and dry place. It is recommended to peel the shells in batches according to the amount consumed. When selecting, pay attention to choosing walnuts that have no sound when shaken and no mold on the shell. These walnuts usually have a higher degree of kernel integrity. Before cracking, the walnut can be steamed for 3 minutes to separate the shell and kernel more thoroughly, but it may slightly affect the taste.