The outer covering on walnuts can be tough to break open, but the sweet meat inside is the perfect payoff. Visit the Photo Place

Virginia climate right for nuts--the snacking kind

The story of nuts, in a nutshell

Date published: 11/28/2008

DO YOU FEEL like a nut? Do you have a favorite kind of nut? Just to be clear, we're talking about tree nuts here. Nuts are popular, healthy and locally available during the holidays.

I don't know the history of tree nut consumption, but there are many references to the importance of acorns and chestnuts to American Indians and, later, European settlers. Given that nuts are fairly easily gathered, have a high nutritional value and can be stored for some time, it's no surprise such trees and their fruit were highly regarded by our ancestors.

While there are some who are allergic to tree nuts (and others who are allergic to peanuts--technically a legume in the pea family, not a nut), recent dietary research highlights the value of nuts as part of a balanced diet. (See The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 138, Issue 9, September 2008.) In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the following package-label "qualified" health claim for nuts: "Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

This is believed to be true for the lower-fat tree nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachio nuts, walnuts and peanuts. Though nuts are a higher-fat food, it is mostly heart-healthy unsaturated fat and may help lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol (see lancaster.unl.edu/food/ft mar04.htm).

LOCALLY GROWN

Nuts have a niche in the current local-foods movement. This part of the country can grow walnuts, Asian chestnuts (and the soon-to-return American chestnut), American filberts (also known as hazelnuts), hickory nuts and others.

Tony Bratsch, a former extension specialist with Virginia Tech, feels there is good opportunity for small-scale nut production and niche marking in many areas of Virginia--an opportunity to consider if you have a few acres and a few years (six or more) to get a small plantation established. Check out ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/commhort/pulledarticles/march04-1.html for a brief introduction to nut production.

Adam Downing is an agent in Virginia Cooperative Extension's Madison County office, specializing in forestry and natural resources. Phone 540/948-6881; fax 540/ 948-6883; e-mail adowning@vt.edu.

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Date published: 11/28/2008