'Tis the season for enjoying a variety of edible nuts. Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and pistachios are easy to crack and are plentiful this time of year. While a bit more challenging to crack, Brazil nuts provide a nutritious snack.

Pecans are one of the easiest nuts to crack into halves or quarters. Long ago, pecans were gathered by Native Americans ground into a meal, and added to bison meat, bread, and other foods. Later, pioneers also supplemented their diets with pecans. During the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806, native pecan seedlings (Carya illinoensis) and nuts were collected for use as foundation planting stock at the William R. Prince Nursery in Flushing, New York. 'Centennial' was the first known southern type pecan cultivar to be grafted in Louisiana in 1848.

Although Stark Bro's Nurseries in Louisiana, Missouri sold pecan trees for many years, they patented their first northern type tree, 'Starking Hardy Giant' pecan in 1955. This cultivar was cold-hardy and produced thin-shelled, early-maturing nuts with large kernels. A second patented northern pecan, 'Stark Surecrop' was released in 1972. Since then, several improved cultivars have been developed for commercial production. Today, only about 0.4% of the total United States pecan production is from Missouri. However, Missouri pecans are highly prized for their flavorful kernels. Retailers of Missouri nuts can be found online at: https://missourigrownusa.com/categories/689/22/0.

In-shell Northern-type pecans with a kernel.

Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) is another common nut-bearing species found in Missouri with flavorful kernels. Although in-shell black walnuts are not typically available from retail outlets, their packaged kernels are often found in the baking section of grocery stores. Kernel flavor is influenced by harvest and hulling procedures. For less intense flavored black walnuts, fruits (nuts enclosed within their husks) are collected early in the harvest season while most are still on the tree and the green husks are immediately removed. Collecting black walnut fruits after nearly all are on the ground and delaying their husk removal by two weeks will intensify the fruity flavor of the kernels.

When cracking Eastern black walnuts, usually the kernels break into quarters or small bits that must be further pried out from the shell. Although hand-held crackers or hammers can be used to extract the kernels, specialized, heavy-duty crackers, with an adjustable geared lever are most effective. However, these crackers are considerably more expensive than other types but also can be used to crack other types of nuts.

In-shell English walnuts ready for cracking.

While Eastern black walnut is a common species in Missouri, there are several improved cultivars selected from native trees. 'Thomas', selected from Pennsylvania in 1881, is the oldest named black walnut cultivar. 'Kwik Krop' was the first patented black walnut cultivar in 1952. Flowering and fruiting characteristics of commonly-grown black walnuts are found online at: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/xm1001.

English walnut (Juglans regia), primarily grown in California, is the most common walnut found at grocers. These nuts have light tan-colored shells that are easy to crack. The kernels have many culinary uses and are larger, buttery, and milder-flavored than eastern black walnut kernels.

An Eastern black walnut positioned within the vice of a heavy-duty hand cracker with an adjustable geared lever.

European filbert or hazelnut (Corylus avellana) trees produce nutty, earthy-flavored kernels that are used as snacks, culinary ingredients, and for their oil. In the United States, the European filbert or hazelnut is primarily grown in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, while Turkey dominates world production of this nut. Although European hazelnut is not cold hardy in Missouri, the shrubby, thicket-forming species, American hazelnut (Corylus americana) is native to Missouri. American hazelnuts are often collected even though their edible kernels are smaller than the more common European species.

Almonds are a healthy snack and are lower in calories and saturated fats compared with other nuts. When purchasing in-shell almonds, look for clean, intact shells that are uniform in color and lack discoloration. Almond trees (Prunus dulcis) thrive in a Mediterranean climate, with California producing about 80% of the world's supply. However, due to the high water requirements of almond trees, recent drought conditions in California may hinder future production.

A hand-held nutcracker in a basket of tan-colored almonds and brown European hazelnuts.

For many years, pistachio nuts were only available during the winter months. Also, the shells were often dyed red to hide defects. Today, pistachios are exclusively marketed in their tan-colored shells or as kernels only. Pistachios are easy to open as their shells typically split before harvest, slightly exposing their kernels. Pistachio shells that are not split indicate that they were likely immature at harvest. Although the brown seed coat is edible, the tasty, bright green kernels are a colorful addition when used as a food ingredient. In some cultures, pistachios are given as special holiday gifts, representing happiness and good luck.

A dish of green-colored kernels partially covered in edible brown seed coats. In-shell pistachios are partially split open.

Pistachios trees (Pistacia vera) originated in west-central Asia in desert climates. Previously, Iran was a major producer of pistachios. Today, over 98% of the nut production is in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California.

Brazil nuts, known as the "king of nuts", have large, wedge-shaped kernels enclosed in a thick, hard shell. The large woody fruit is like a coconut, about 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and requires about 14 months after pollination to mature. Inside the fruit, there are 8 to 25 nuts arranged in whorls. When using a typical plier-type nutcracker, the kernel often breaks into multiple pieces. To obtain more whole kernels, strike an edge of the nut with a hammer. Using this technique, a portion of the kernel may still adhere to the shell walls or will break into two pieces.

Brown segmented Brazil nuts and their tan-colored kernels.

Brazil nut trees (Berholletia excela) are native to South America and are found in natural stands along riverbanks or are grown in orchards. Trees reach up to 160 feet tall and can live for over 800 years. Trees produce as many as 300 fruits annually. When mature, fruits naturally drop to the ground and are collected. Although Brazil nuts can be a "tough nut to crack", they have a unique flavor.

If you can resist gobbling up all the kernels after cracking any type of nut, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer and enjoyed throughout the year.