Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600670
10/13/97

### NUTS-POSTHARVEST HANDLING

        For best color and flavor,  nuts such as black  walnuts

    should
     be  hulled  soon after  gathering.   If  not  hulled

    quickly,
     the  bitter fluid secreted in the hulls penetrates

    the
     nutmeat,  discoloring nuts and impairing flavor.  Also,

    leaving
     nuts  in  the hull encourages  mold  growth. Gloves

    should
     be  worn  to  protect  hands from the near-permanent

    stain
    secreted by the hull.

        Once gathered,  freshly fallen nuts must be "cured"  or

    dried
     before storage as the nutmeats are still quite  moist

    and
     almost juicy.   Uncured nuts are difficult to crack and

    have
    a "green", bitter taste.

        Before drying,  immerse nuts in water and  discard  any

    diseased
     or  rotten  nuts which float  to  the  top.   This

    soaking
    also removes any accumulation of dirt or insects  on

    the
    shell.

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