Walnuts are celebrated around the world for their rich, earthly flavour and numerous health benefits. While most people might think a walnut is a walnut, there are different varieties of walnuts grown around Australia and the world – just like grapes (think chardonnay or merlot) and apples (pink lady or golden delicious). These can vary in appearance and flavour.
We do actually get asked quite often about our walnut varieties and their particular characteristics. All of these varieties can be eaten raw or used in any type of cooking, but they do each have qualities which lend them to certain uses.
Let’s explore the different types of walnuts that we have at Coaldale Walnuts and what makes them unique.
Walnut species
Firstly, let’s be clear on the species. We’re talking about the English walnut, also called Persian walnut (juglans regia), which is the most common type of eating walnut.
Chandler
Chandler walnuts are a premium variety of English walnut that stand out for their exceptional quality and versatility. Known for their large size and light colour (of both the shells and kernel), Chandler walnuts offer a mild and buttery flavour.
These walnuts have thinner shells, which makes them easy to crack, which is a positive and a negative, as they are easy to open but can also break easily. They boast a high-kernel-to-shell ratio, meaning you get more of the nut and less waste.
One of the reasons Chandler walnuts are so popular is their sweet and creamy flavour. For this reason, they are great to eat raw sprinkled over salads, or simply eaten as a snack – although, of course, they are great in cooking as well.
Vina
Vina Walnuts are another variety of English walnut that are bred to thrive in a variety of climates. The shells of Vina walnuts aren’t too thick, giving it that sweet spot between making them easy to crack whilst offering good all-round protection.
Once the shell is cracked, the high-quality kernel offers a solid kernel-to-shell ratio. The natural colour of the kernels is slightly darker than that of other varieties.
These walnuts are known for their rich, nutty flavour which carries through beautifully when roasted, candied or used in baking.
When you buy Vinas from us, you’ll get a few Chandlers mixed through, as Chandler is the pollinator variety used in the Vina orchard. The Vinas and Chandlers have slightly different seasonal timing for releasing their pollen, which gives a longer window for pollination.
Franquette
Franquette walnuts are an old and highly regarded variety of English walnuts that originated in France. Known for their excellent flavour and durability, they are highly resistant to the cold. At Coaldale Walnuts, we grow Franquette as the pollinator variety in our Chandler orchard. Chandler is the predominant variety here, so you’ll just get a few Franquette nuts mixed through when you buy Chandlers from us.
You’ll notice Franquettes by their pointy shape, compared to the rounder Chandlers. Franquettes have thicker shells than most varieties, which helps to protect the nut inside from harsh environments. These make them idea for long-term storage. The consequence of this however is that the shell is tougher to crack, but once opened it offers a reasonable kernel-to-shell ratio.
Franquette walnuts have a rich, buttery flavour, which makes them extremely versatile – great for snacking, baking, and cooking.
You can’t go wrong with any of these walnuts. They’re a great source of healthy fats, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, making them not only delicious, but also a nutritious choice.