Archives: Products

Post Type Description

Chandler

Chandler

Description

The University of California introduced the Chandler walnut in 1979 and named it after W. H. Chandler, Professor of Pomology, at U. C. Davis. Today it is the most prominent variety grown in California. The Chandler walnut is large, smooth and oval shaped with a good shell seal. Chandlers are known around the world and are highly prized by buyers for their extra light and high quality kernels. Harvested mid to late season, Chandlers provide one of the highest kernel yields of any of the varieties.

Characteristics

Shell: Hard
Color: Light Amber
Yield: 43 – 47%
Flavor: Excellent, preferred as best-tasting
Halves Yield: Low

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Chandler walnut with shadow

Tulare

Tulare

Description

The Tulare walnut is an increasingly popular inshell variety, known for its high yield. A newer variety, the Tulare was derived from a tree grown from seed at the University of California walnut breeding program, directed by Eugene Serr and Harold Forde in 1967. Named after a county in California’s Central Valley, Tulares are harvested mid-season and continue to be a significant contributor to the state’s walnut production.

Characteristics

Shell: Somewhat thin, but thicker than Chandler
Color: Light when first shelled, but turns light amber
Yield: High—typically 47 – 53%
Flavor: Has more natural walnut flavor than Chandler
Halves Yield: Good, though not as high as Chandler or Howard

View Spec Sheet
Tulare walnut with shadow

Howard

Howard

Description

Howard walnuts have steadily increased in popularity since their introduction approximately 25 years ago. A University of California variety, this large, round, smooth nut has a good seal and is harvested mid-season. Well known for its light nutshell color and attractive natural appearance, the Howard walnut features a large, light kernel that provides outstanding flavor. Howard walnuts rank among the top six varieties grown in California, which together account for more than 75% of the state’s walnut production.

Characteristics

Shell: Somewhat thin, but thicker than Chandler
Color: Light, though not as light as Chandler
Yield: Typically 43% – 50%
Flavor: Has more natural walnut flavor than Chandler
Halves Yield: High, though not as high as Chandler, due to its thicker shell

View Spec Sheet
Howard walnut with shadow

Gillet

Gillet

Description

Gillet was developed at the production research facility at the University of California, Davis and released to commercial use in 2004. It was named for Felix Gillet, a French pioneer who established the first commercial tree nursery in the Western United States in the 1860s.

 

 

The Gillet variety harvests about 6-8 days before Chandler. It produces a very large nut, typically with sizing that exceeds 32mm girth and can often average 34mm. Kernel color is light, although the color tends to darken quickly once the shell is cracked and the kernel begins to oxidize.

Characteristics

Yield: Typically 49% – 52%
Flavor: Gillet is one of the best-tasting walnut varieties available. It has a natural walnut flavor with a hint of sweetness, especially compared to the relatively bland flavor of the Chandler.

View Spec Sheet
Gillet walnut with shadow