I bought a few bags of walnuts from a farm gate near Queenstown. I assume they are fresh as they had bits of dirt and roughage on them.
I have eaten a couple but found them quite bitter.
My questions are, do they benefit from being left to "dry" out a bit and do they become less bitter or is that just a variety thing?

Does the inner skin peel off fairly easily? If it does they are fresh, and I actually love them like that, but have an on going difference of opinion with T (who many years ago won nut of the year!) who says they must be dried on racks for a while. The bitterness does come from that inner skin.

> My questions are, do they benefit from being left
> to "dry" out a bit and do they become less bitter
> or is that just a variety thing?

Hello Helen, yes to both. I've found that even well cured walnuts still have a bitter edge to my taste but soaking overnight in a light brine then drying in a dehydrator really improves the flavour.

Thanks to you both for answers. I have them in a willow basket in a ventilated space and am turning them regularly. I think they are fresh.

I always find Walnuts bitter to my taste and have never liked them for this reason. My parents have a large old walnut tree but I find I'm not keen on either the very fresh ones or bought from the supermarket ready dried. I think its a matter of individual taste.

I have found they are only bitter when they have a bright yellow or dark skin after shelling. I throw then out immediately. But generally the creamy or beige coloured walnuts are fine.

In my experience, walnuts are not sweet until dried/aired fora week/maybe months after falling. They are milky and bitter when too new...horrible. They should be dry and nutty / sweet when ready. They keep for well over a year hanging in an airing sack or an airy tray. It is worth the wait.