National Walnut Day
About National Walnut Day
When is National Walnut Day? This holiday is always celebrated on May 17
Certainly, this is a nutty day in every way. It’s National Walnut Day. This May 17 holiday celebrates a healthy and good-tasting tree nut. Are you a health nut? Like other tree nuts, walnuts contain healthy antioxidants and Omega-3 oil, Delicious and nutritious are two great traits for any food. So, those of us who are not allergic to tree nuts should strive to increase our intake of walnuts. Luckily, that’s an easy task. They are an ingredient in countless recipes. So, you can enjoy them at every meal and for dessert. And they are a very popular snack item, too.
Sure, walnuts may be only the third most popular nut behind peanuts (actually a Legume), and almonds. However, it truly deserves its own day of recognition. In addition to its popularity in the kitchen and as a snack food, walnut trees have a big application that most other types of nuts don’t. Walnut trees are a popular wood for furniture and cabinetry. The wood is beautiful and high-quality. It is one of the most popular timbers for many woodworking projects.
The only knock against walnuts is that they are a hard nut to crack. It is difficult to crack a walnut open without the nut inside breaking into many pieces or even getting crushed. If you want to break them open without smashing them into a million pieces, do not use a nutcracker. Rather, experts advise the use of a butter knife or even a screwdriver. Insert the tool into the crack of a walnut shell. Then, pry it open. Use a knife or a tool called a “Nut Pick” to scrape out the nut inside.
How to approach this holiday: Don’t go ape. Go nuts!
How to Celebrate and Participate in National Walnut Day
Let’s make plans to celebrate and enjoy National Walnut Day in a big and nutty way. Here are some ways you can participate in this great food holiday:
- Grab a handful of walnuts and chow down.
- Do it the old-fashioned way. Buy whole walnuts and crack them open.
- Bake something that has walnuts in them.
- Enjoy walnuts for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time.
- Have a contest with others. The person who eats them in the most different food wins.
- Bring them to work to share with co-workers. Warning: It may be hard to keep the bowl full.
- Eat an ice cream sundae topped with walnuts.
- In the market for furniture or cabinets? Consider, attractive and durable walnut wood.
English Walnuts Versus Black Walnuts
Walnut trees can be found around the world. There are a couple dozen species. However, the English Walnut and the Black Walnut are by far the most common varieties grown in the United States. Here are the major differences between the two:
English walnuts are by far the most popular. It has a milder taste than Black Walnuts. In the United States, most commercially grown walnuts are the English variety. They have a thinner shell which is easier to crack. They produce Juglone, but in a much smaller concentration. These trees are smaller than Black Walnut trees. English walnuts are lighter in color.
Black walnuts are native to North America. It has a bold and earthy flavor. They are much harder to crack. They produce a high quantity of the chemical “Juglone”. This chemical kills many types of vegetation. Many flowers, herbs, and vegetables will not grow below or near where the tree was recently grown. These nuts are higher in protein and fat. The wood from this tree is more popular than wood from the English walnut tree.
National Walnut Day Trivia and Fun Facts
Be the subject matter expert on this nutty topic. The walnut trivia below will get you well on your way.
- The walnut tree is the oldest tree known to Man. Early Man munched on walnuts as far back as 7,000 B.C. Some suggest this tree nut was eaten by Man even thousands of years earlier.
- The United States is the top exporter of walnuts. Germany, Japan, Spain, South Korea, and Turkey are the top destinations.
- California produces 99% of walnuts in the United States.
- Worldwide, China is the largest producer.
- Is your last name “Walnut”? There are dozens, if not hundreds of people in America who have this for their last name.
- There are over twenty species of walnut trees. The most popular are English Walnut, Black Walnut, and Japanese Walnuts (also called Heartnut).
- Walnut trees are deciduous trees. They lose their leaves each Fall.
- Persian Walnuts were grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. And, they were mentioned in the Code of Hammurabi.
- Persian walnuts were brought to Europe by English merchants where they became known as English Walnuts.
- Over 2.6 million metric tons are produced worldwide each year.
- Wood for walnut furniture and cabinetry comes from both English Walnut and Black Walnut trees.
- The nuts contain healthy antioxidants and omega-3 fats.
Thought for Today
“Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.” – – Redd Foxx
History and Origin of National Walnut Day
In June, 1949, the Walnut Marketing Board in Folsom, CA. declared the first annual National Walnut Day for May 17. Years later, it became an official national holiday on May 3, 1958, when U.S. Senator William F. Knowland brought a Senate Resolution to the desk of then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower for his signature. Upon signing the resolution, it became an official holiday that is celebrated on an annual basis on May 17.
Why did the Walnut Marketing Board create this holiday? Quite obviously, to promote walnuts. And, they stated this back in 1949.
This Day in History
Here are some things that happened on this day:
- “And They’re Off!” as the first Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs. (1875)
- “The Wonderful World of Oz” is published. (1900)
- Mia Hamm, Hall of Fame soccer player was born on this day in 1972.
Related Holidays
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Here is another May 17 holiday you will enjoy:
More About Today
Flower of the Day: Gerber Daisy
Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Nut Bread. The recipe includes walnuts.
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