Walnuts (Grade B)

Chitrali walnuts (akhrot) are harvested every October from ancient trees rooted in the rocky hillsides of Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Many of these trees are decades old; their deep roots draw minerals from glacial moraine soil that lowland orchards simply cannot replicate. Nutritional highlights (per 100 g): ~654 kcal · 15 g protein · 65 g fats (rich in omega-3 ALA, ~9 g) · 7 g fibre · copper (1.6 mg) · manganese (3.4 mg) · folate (98 µg). Omega-3 content is among the highest of any tree nut, supporting heart and brain health. Flavour profile: bold, slightly tannic with an earthy, almost woody finish. The 2-piece shell cracked halves retain more natural oil than pre-shelled supermarket nuts. How to use: eat out of hand, add to salads or pasta, blend into akhrot chutney, fold into banana bread, or pair with honey and dried apricot for a traditional Chitrali snack plate. Walnut oil pressed from these kernels is used locally as a cooking and hair-care oil. Storage: shelled walnuts go rancid quickly due to high oil content. Store in an airtight container in the fridge (up to 6 months) or freezer (up to 1 year).

Try these Walnuts with Chitrali Apricots for a heart-healthy snack mix.