Walnuts

Ingredient Name: Walnuts

Traditional Chinese Name: 核桃 (Hétáo)

What is this?
  • The edible seed of any tree in the genus Julgans (tree nut family)
  • The edible portions are found inside a very hard, brown seed with a very hard external shell
  • The walnut is brownish-white in color and hard in texture with a white skin (that is often bitter)
  • This nut is commonly found in Chinese soups, dishes and desserts

How do I prepare it?

  • Rinse in warm water before usage
  • Avoid using walnuts that are pre-salted or roasted

Where can I buy this?

  • Fresh walnuts can be purchased in supermarkets
  • Dried walnuts are also available in supermarkets or at herbalists
  • This is a readily available ingredient

What is the cost?

  • This is not an expensive ingredient and the price varies depending on preparation and packaging

Any benefits?

  • Walnuts are excellent source of protein, nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids
  • They have a healthy source of antioxidants which help reduce or slow aging
  • Walnuts are a good source of Calcium, Zinc and Iron
  • Excellent in the prevention of heart disease

Any precautions?

  • If a walnut has molded, this mold will release dangerous aflatoxins and should not be used for consumption
  • Be sure to purchase walnuts from a reputable source

Additional Information

  • Store in a dry and cold place as walnuts can spoil easily

Peanuts

Ingredient Name:  Peanuts, ground nuts, or earthnuts

Traditional Chinese Name: 花生  (huā shēng)

What is this?

  • Peanuts are part of the bean family
  • The plants grow no taller than 1.6 feet in height and produce a legume which contains seeds in it
  • It is during cultivation that the plant has turned downwards and put the fruit on the ground where it matures and turns into the peanuts that we see commercially
  • The Chinese consume peanuts widely and are the world’s largest producer of peanuts
  • It is commonly found in soups, dishes, and desserts

How do I prepare it?

  • Rinse with warm water before using in soup
  • You can use raw peanuts as well as cooked peanuts for soups

Where can I buy this?

  • Peanuts can be found in all supermarkets and even snacks
  • It is best to purchase unprocessed peanuts (unsalted) for soup usage

What is the cost?

  • Peanuts are very affordable.  A bag of peanuts can cost $3-5 CAD 

Any benefits?

  • Peanuts have a high source of nutrients with over 30 essential nutrients
  • They are high in protein and energy and have a high content of unsaturated “good” fats
  • Excellent for brain health and circulation and blood flow
  • Peanuts also contain a high amount of anti-oxidants that help slow down the process of aging

Any precautions?

  • Peanut allergies are relatively common so consume when you’re sure no allergies are present
  • Boiled peanuts have a lower risk of causing an allergic reaction over roasting (as some studies have shown)

Resources

Chestnuts

Ingredient Name:  Chestnuts
 
Traditional Chinese Name:  栗子 (lì zi)
 
What is this?
  • The chestnut is the fruit produce of the chestnut tree
  • The chestnut is actually the combined flowers which ultimately grow completely together to make the brown  husk that covers the fruit
  • The raw fruit actually contains burrs and each burr can contain 1-7 nuts within it
  • The chestnut is round and has a pointy end
  • It also contains two skins:  One hard outer layer and one softer and thinner layer that surround the fruit
  • Chestnuts, when cooked taste nutty and sweet

How do I prepare it?

  • Chestnuts bought with the peel must be shelled and peeled prior to eating
  • You can boil fresh chestnuts in hot water, drain and immediately peel (while its still hot, the skin should fall off)

Where can I buy this?

  • Fresh chestnuts are available at most supermarkets and are usually sold in bulk
  • You can also purchase pre-peeled and pre-cooked chestnuts that are packaged
  • Look for firm, heavy chestnuts with dark shiny shells

What is the cost?

  • Fresh unpeeled, raw chestnuts cost around $1.49 CAD per pound

Any substitutes?

  • Peanuts are an ideal substitute (although be weary of allergies), but they are not as sweet
  • Walnuts are also another ideal substitute

Any benefits?

  • Chestnuts have no cholesterol, contains very little fat and are low in sodium
  • They are the only nuts that have traces of Vitamin C
  • Chestnuts have considerably lower calories than most nuts (walnuts, almonds) and dried fruit
  • Fresh chestnuts have very high water content (around 52%)
  • Chestnuts are considered a tonic for muscles, nerves and the veinous system
  • They are anti-anemic, antiseptic and stomachic

Any precautions?

  • Chestnuts tend to lose their water content over time, so some chestnuts will be very shriveled and dried when opened
  • Over consumption will result in a form of “wet” heatiness of the stomach which will lead to stomach pains – this is especially true for roasted chestnuts rather than boiled soup chestnuts

Additional Information?

  • Unpeeled chestnuts can be stored in a cool, dry place for one week or can be refrigerated for up to a month. Frozen chestnuts will keep for up to six months

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