BrianMDelaney Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 I just spent several hours trying to figure out how to get high quality nuts here in Sweden. I learned a lot. One of the things I learned is that most nuts available to the typical consumer, at least here in Sweden, are not the highest grade available. This seems particularly true in the case of walnuts. (Technically, the color isn't the grade, but it ends up being a good proxy: it's impossible to find "extra light" walnuts here, and very difficult to find even "light". One is generally stuck with "amber", which means the nuts have been oxidized to a significant degree.) So, before I do more research, I'm wondering whether anyone knows of a seller or distributor of nuts, in the US, Europe, or anywhere, that functions like Veronica Foods: 1) has exacting standards 2) is open with their measurements of the quality of their products, 3) advocates for very high quality across the industry. Anyone know? For example, I'd love to go to https://nuts.com/nuts/walnuts/ or to Living Nuts and be able to read what grade of walnut I'm looking at, and the harvest date. The situation is much worse in Sweden, of course, because people here are generally not as concerned with their health (partly, perhaps, because they're healthier). Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtuin Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 I recently picked up some organic dried goji berries and hazelnuts from Whole Foods (in the US.) Quite a few of these had a bit of mold growing on them under close inspection, and I ended up tossing the whole bin of berries and haven't purchased dried fruits ever since. I would love to find a few different sources for fresh mycotoxin-free nuts / dried fruits / dried spices / cacao / coffee (ideally with harvest dates and CoA's.) I wish there was a label for certified "Heavy Metal free" and "Mycotoxin Free." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin knight Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Why not just buy direct from the grower? I get walnuts here at the Santa Barbara Farmers market but the grower also has an online presence: http://www.rancholavina.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtuin Posted August 1, 2015 Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 Why not just buy direct from the grower? I get walnuts here at the Santa Barbara Farmers market but the grower also has an online presence: http://www.rancholavina.com/ It looks like the Certified Organic light halves & pieces would be ideal from that vendor -- I'm seeing the minimum order there at 24 lbs of walnuts at $200+. When can the freshest walnuts be purchased? (October?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianMDelaney Posted August 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 Ordering directly from the grower is a great idea. I can't do that as easily here in Europe, but I may try to do it when I'm back in the US. Sirtuin, if you google [ walnut growing season ] you'll get a lot of info. You'd need to call the grower to get exact dates, since they would vary somewhat, but, for California, late September would be my guess as to when the current crop would start to be available, but the process of harvesting and preparing for market is a long one. http://www.walnuts.org/about-walnuts/how-walnuts-are-grown/ Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin knight Posted August 1, 2015 Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 Why not just buy direct from the grower? I get walnuts here at the Santa Barbara Farmers market but the grower also has an online presence: http://www.rancholavina.com/ It looks like the Certified Organic light halves & pieces would be ideal from that vendor -- I'm seeing the minimum order there at 24 lbs of walnuts at $200+. When can the freshest walnuts be purchased? (October?) If I remember right it was oct/nov last year. If you contact them you might be able to reduce the min order of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Posted August 2, 2015 Report Share Posted August 2, 2015 Anyone know where and when to buy high quality raw Macadamia nuts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianMDelaney Posted August 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 Saul, I think Martin's suggestion would be best. The problem with Macadamia nuts (for you) is that they're grown overseas (including the "sea" between Calif. and Hawaii). Correct me if I'm wrong. No, I'll correct myself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macadamia#Production Looks like they are grown in California. That makes things easier for you. But, either way, the rest of the strategy I follow would be the same when it comes to growers, or distributors: call them up and talk to them! --> - Do some background research so I sound like I know what I'm talking about. (Learn a bit about the quality grading system for macadamias or whatever nut I'm interested in.) - Then call and say I'm interested in buying a large quantity ("I know you normally don't sell to consumers but....") I'm currently in touch with a distributor of walnuts from whom I think I may soon be able to get the highest grade ("extra light"). May have to buy a few kilos, but I have a big freezer. Wish we all lived near one another! Seriously! We could start a buyers club. (In fact.... Hm.... Thinking cap on. But then there's my "Don't start new projects for a while" rule.) - Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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