Hickory Nuts – Grade B+ – 2024

Delicious, nutritious Grade B+ [mostly] SHAGBARK hickory nuts. These hickory nuts are hickory nuts harvested in Autumn 2024 from wild trees.

These nuts taste amazing! I think they taste better than the Grade A. They are perfect for hickory nut milk!

That said, these are Grade B+ for several reasons.

• It seems like there are two varieties mixed. Many are Shagbark, but it seems that many are Sweet Pignut. Unfortunately, they are mixed and difficult to discern.
• The shells are unusually dark. I think they sat in the hulls for a while before they were harvested. The shell color doesn't affect the taste or overall quality.
• Many of the nuts have very thick shells. They are harder to crack than average. Also, some of the nut meat is smaller.
  
• They are not separated by quality. There is an uncertain amount of nonviable nuts. I've cracked a few pounds and most seem to be quite delicious.
  

These nuts are difficult to crack using a hand cracker. I suggest either using a Kenkel cracker (or a hammer. 😎) or purchasing them cracked. Oh, and keep your picks handy!

If you are purchasing hickory nuts for a baking recipe, I wouldn't get these Grade B+. They take more work than average to get the meats out.

I carefully weigh them to the proper weight*.

Then I bag them up in a freezer bag. I suggest transferring them to a paper bag.

I have mapped over 600 shagbark hickory trees. I typically harvest from 50 or so in Adams County, PA. In 2024 I have partnered with other harvesters in PA, and I'm reselling their nuts.

*This weight includes shells. It is cost prohibitive to pick out all of the nuts. Plus, a big part of the fun of hickory nuts is picking the nuts and dumping a huge pile of amazingness into your mouth.

**Watch out for those shells; eat at your tooth's risk. I had a friend drive one between her teeth like a wedge and shatter her tooth. I always recommend sorting with a keen eye and chewing lightly to check for shells.