Short Answer: Buy the Kernels
When you buy walnuts in shell, you are buying a closed box. Outside it looks fine, but inside can be empty, dry or spoiled, and you know only after you crack it. When you buy kernels, the box is already open. You see the colour, you see the size, you see the broken pieces, and you can judge the quality with your own eyes before you eat. For us this is the main reason, and everything else on this page comes from it.
Why the Shell Hides the Problem
Kashmir has many types of walnut, and every area is a little different. The thin-shell Kagzi cracks very easily, but a thin shell also means less cover for the kernel, so there is more chance of walnuts that are empty or spoiled inside. The thicker-shell types, like Burzul, protect the kernel more, but even there you cannot see what is inside until you crack it. And you are also paying for the weight of the shell, which you throw away.
We also test our in-shell batches. We break some walnuts from the batch and check them. But a few walnuts are only a few walnuts. Whatever the test shows, we cannot say that every walnut in the bag is of same quality, and any seller who says so is guessing. With kernels we can check every piece with our eyes. That is why we give a 7 day quality claim on kernels, and not on shell.
Walnuts Are Not the Same in Every Part of Kashmir
People think walnut is one thing, but it changes from area to area. In south Kashmir, most of the walnut is Burzul, with a darker and thicker shell. In the north, the kernels are often brown in colour. The trees are different, the soil is different, so the kernel is also different, in colour, in oil and in taste. If you buy in shell, you will not know which one you got. With kernels, the colour tells you.
Read the Colour of the Kernel
Brown kernels have more oil. In Kashmiri we call them teel gooje, the oil kernel. The taste is strong and rich, and sometimes a little sour. Many people like it for cooking, in gravies and chutney. But be careful, because a kernel can also turn brown when it is old. So smell it first. If it smells like old oil or paint, leave it.
Light kernels, from snow white to light golden, have less oil, and the feeling in the mouth is soft and buttery. The taste is mild and sweet, so it is easy for children, for daily eating, with oats, in halwa and in baking.
So colour tells you what you will get. In shell, you find out only after you have paid and cracked it.
What We Do at Deenz
We sort the kernels and sell only the premium ones, the light colour pieces, from snow white to light golden, from Kokernag and Kulgam. This is our choice. For us this colour gives the best balance, a soft buttery feeling and a clean sweet taste that the whole family can eat without any problem. We do not bleach or whiten the kernels. The colour is the natural colour of the walnut.
Broken pieces, shell bits and kernels that are not fresh are removed by hand before we pack. If you open your pack and you are not happy with the quality, tell us within 7 days. That is our 7 day quality claim.
When Walnut with Shell Is Still Fine
We are not saying shell walnut is bad. The shell is nature's own packing, and it keeps the kernel fresh for longer. So if you want to store walnuts for many months, or you like cracking them at home in winter evening, or you want to give them as a gift, shell is fine. Just know what you are buying. Some walnuts in the bag can be empty or not good, and we cannot promise otherwise. We also sell walnuts with shell for those who want them.
How to Keep Kernels Fresh
Keep the kernels in an airtight container, away from sun and heat. In summer months, put the container in the fridge, so the natural oil does not go bitter. In the fridge they stay fresh for many months.
Order Kashmiri Walnut Kernels
You can see price and pack sizes of 200 g, 500 g and 1 kg on our Kashmiri Walnut Kernels (Akhrot Giri) page.