Juglans regia
One of China’s most famous and valuable varieties. The shell is so thin that it cracks easily by hand (paper-shell). The kernel ratio is very high and the kernels are light in colour.
Named after Wensu county in the Aksu area of the Uyghur Region, the 185 walnut (also known as Wen 185) grows at around 40° N. It was selected from the region’s local walnut populations and quickly became China’s best-known paper-shell walnut.
At about 0.6–0.8 mm the shell is so thin that two walnuts can be cracked by squeezing them in your palm. The inner partitions (septa) are thin too, so the kernel separates cleanly and more than 85 % comes out whole (butterfly). The pellicle is low in tannin, giving a creamy, sweet taste with no bitterness. Its high kernel ratio and light kernel colour make 185 the first choice both for in-shell retail and premium kernel production.
The thin shell has a price: it is more sensitive to knocks in transport and storage. Fast calibration after drying, the right moisture level and well-filled packaging are therefore important, and machine cracking uses a low-pressure setting to keep the halves whole. For comparison, well-known varieties such as Chandler and Howard typically have a kernel ratio of 48–52 %. Lots sold as “185 thin shell” that do not reach paper-shell grade come in around 51–53 %, so it is important to specify the grade when requesting a quote.
| Kernel ratio | 60–68 % |
|---|---|
| Whole kernel yield | Over 85 % |
| Light kernel share | Over 85 % |
| Shell thickness | ≈ 0.6–1.2 mm (paper shell) |
| Nuts per kg | ≈ 60–70 nuts |
| Average nut weight | ≈ 14–17 g |
| Size | 30 mm+, 32 mm+, 34 mm+ |
| Kernel colour | Extra light / light (light yellow) |
| Oil content (kernel) | 63–65 % |
| Taste | Creamy, sweet, crunchy; no bitterness |
| Moisture | Max. 5 % (kernels < 4.5 %) |
| In-shell types | Washed / unwashed |
| Shape | Round – slightly oval, smooth surface |
| Cracking | Cracks by hand |
| Species | Juglans regia |
| Origin | Uyghur Region, Aksu – Wensu |
Values are typical ranges based on season averages and may vary with harvest year and orchard. An analysis report and certificates are shared with every shipment.
Storage: In-shell: moisture < 5–6 %, up to 24 months in a cool, dry place. Kernels: moisture < 4.5 %; 12–18 months in controlled cold storage at –2 / +4 °C in vacuum or nitrogen-flushed packaging; reefer containers for long routes.
After harvest the green hull is removed and the walnuts are washed to clean dust and stains from the shell, then dried to the target moisture. With its clean, light appearance it goes straight onto the shelf.
Walnuts that are only dried, without washing, leaving the shell in its natural colour. Priced more economically; the kernel quality is the same as the washed product.
From whole (butterfly) kernels to pieces, every grade is sorted into light yellow and light amber colour groups. Values are maximum percentages.
| Grade | Defective kernels light yellow / amber | Foreign matter | Moisture | Off-colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra LH Extra light whole (butterfly) | %0.5 / 1.0 | %0.0 | %5.0 | %10 |
| 1/2 LH Light halves | %0.5 / 1.0 | %0.0 | %5.0 | %10 |
| 1/2 LBH Light broken halves | %0.5 / 1.0 | %0.0 | %5.0 | %10 |
| 1/4 LQ Light quarters | %1.0 / 1.0 | %0.0 | %5.0 | %10 |
| LP Light pieces (broken) | %2.0 / 2.0 | %0.0 | %5.0 | %15 |
| MCR Mixed colour broken | %3.0 / 2.0 | %0.1 | %5.0 | – |
Photos on a white background or with a ruler show the real product; the others are illustrative.
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