In-Shell
When sourcing in-shell walnuts, it is critical that you purchase from a supplier in a superior growing region since you cannot inspect the meat inside without destroying the walnut. Our reputation and high standards are why customers keep returning for our in-shell walnuts.
Primary Walnut Varieties
| Variety | Description | Harvest | Marketing Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | Medium sized nut with thick, well sealed shell and 80% light kernels. | Early harvest | Sold early as in-shell or shelled for meats |
| Hartley | Large nut with thick, well sealed, heart shaped shell with 90% light kernels making it the premium in-shell variety. | Midseason harvest | Primarily sold in-shell |
| Howard | Medium to large sized nut with good shell seal, 85-90% light kernels and high yield making it a versatile nut. | Midseason harvest | Sold as in-shell or shelled as meats |
| Payne | Medium sized nut with thick well sealed shell and 75% light kernels. | Early harvest | Sold early as in-shell or shelled as meats |
| Vina | Medium to large sized nut with similar characteristics to Hartley, 80% light kernels. | Early to midseason harvest | Typically sold in-shell, but also shelled for meats |
Processing
All walnuts are sized and graded according to USDA or EU specifications. To ensure our in-shell walnuts meet and exceed these specifications, we pass them through a rigorous grading process. It begins by sizing them, followed by a trip through two aspirators to remove shriveled and empty walnuts. The walnuts then pass over two electronic sorters that remove discolored and split shells. Lastly, an army of trained sorters removes the most minute imperfections.
In-shell walnuts are processed with two distinct finishes, Natural and Bleached. Natural walnuts pass through a brush scrubber to remove any loose hulls. Walnuts requiring a bright exterior appearance pass through a bleach solution.
Not all walnut varieties are available in each size classification. Availability of size depends on the variety, crop year and customer demand.
USDA
| Size | Description |
|---|---|
| Jumbo | Greater than Ø80/64” |
| Jumbo/Large | Greater than Ø77/64” |
| Jumbo/Large/Medium | Greater than Ø73/64” |
| Large | Greater than Ø77/64” and a limited quantity greater than Ø80/64” |
| Medium | Greater than Ø73/64” and a limited quantity greater than Ø77/64” |
EU
| Size | Description |
|---|---|
| 32mm | Greater than Ø32 mm |
| 30mm & larger | Greater than Ø30 mm |
| 30mm | Greater than Ø30 mm and limited amount above Ø32 |
| 28mm & larger | Greater than Ø28 mm |
| 28mm | Greater than Ø28 mm and limited amount above Ø30 |
Package Size
In-shell walnuts are sacked in the following wholesale sizes with our Prima Noce label.
- 25 lbs
- 50 lbs
- 10 kgs
- 25 kgs
Sacks are then palletized to ship domestically or hand-stacked into containers for international shipment.
We also provide a wide range of consumer packaging and private labeling. Please contact Prima Noce directly for information on these styles of packing.