generally larger, richer in oil, and require
little or no cooking to be edible and
nourishing. This combination of qualities
made nuts an important source of nourishment
in prehistoric times. Today, they’re especially
appreciated for their characteristic rich flavor.
Walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, and pine
nuts all have both Old World and New World
species, because nut-bearing trees have been
around a lot longer than the other food plants,
long enough that they existed before North
America and Europe split apart some 60
million years ago. Over the last few centuries,
humans have spread their prized nut species to
nearly every region on the globe with a
suitable climate. California has become the
largest producer of southwest Asian almonds
and walnuts, South American peanuts are
grown throughout the subtropics, and Asian
coconuts throughout the tropics.
Nut Structures and Qualities