When to collect green walnut: terms and rules, how to save

Walnut has numerous he alth benefits. For many, it is a source of protein, fatty essential oil, but not everyone knows what unique healing qualities an unripe fruit has. To get the most out of your green walnut, you need to know when the unripe walnuts start to be harvested.

When to harvest green walnuts

Green walnut has high rates of benefit when taken as part of infusions, decoctions. This is due to the properties of the components of the composition. Green fruits contain:

ascorbic acid;
vitamins;
iodine;
phytoncides;
polysaturated fatty acids;
tannin type substances.

The composition has several multidirectional effects on the human body. At the same time, nuts are harvested only when they become sufficiently germinated, but do not reach the consumer degree of ripeness. They are used as part of specially prepared remedies for the treatment of many diseases, and also as a prophylactic agent:

to increase the body's defenses during cold seasons, during periods of rehabilitation after illnesses;
to saturate the body with additional useful elements;
to increase the regenerative abilities of cells and tissues;
to normalize blood counts, have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the hematopoietic system.

The properties of green nuts are fully revealed at the stage of semi-development, when the peel has not yet become ossified, and the flesh has a milky hue.

The main harvest of green walnuts falls on the end of May-beginning of June. The flowering period begins in April-May, but the timing may be shifted. It depends on the characteristics of the climatic conditions of the growing regions. It is not recommended to focus on approximate dates, because under the green unossified peel there may be ripened flesh.

Collecting begins after checking the nuts for maturity. It can capture periods from mid-May to mid-July. It depends on the type of fruit. There are 3 types according to varietal characteristics:

Early. Flowering occurs in April, full ripening occurs in August.
Mid-ripening. With September ripening.
Later. Summer flowering leads to maturity in October.

How to determine the ripeness of fruits

In order not to rely on terms that can be stretched, which is directly dependent on varietal characteristics, characteristics suitable for collecting green fruits are characterized:

The green fruit is a smooth semi-oval, which can also be egg-shaped. The peel should be smooth, not cracked, without signs of damage.
The pulp has a white, milky hue. The texture is reminiscent of coconut meat.

Information! Green walnuts are not eaten raw. They are used to make infusions, decoctions, and make jam, which has unique beneficial properties.

To determine the condition of the green fruit suitable for harvesting, use a large thick needle or toothpick.The fruit is pierced and watched as the tip enters the center of the pulp. With easy entry and slight secretion of milky juice, it is concluded that green nuts are ready to be harvested for the preparation of medicinal products.

If the peel is hardened in places and covered with dark spots, this fruit is not used. It is on its way to consumer maturity.

Storing green walnuts

Green nuts are not subject to long-term storage, but the useful properties of fruits can be preserved even after they have been processed. From green fruits make:

tinctures;
decoctions;
jam;
compotes.

A mixture of green fruits with honey has beneficial properties. To do this, the nuts are washed, cleaned, chopped. Peeling nuts is associated with the production of essential oils by the skin, which leave dark, hard-to-clean spots on the skin, so gloves are removed from the pericarp.

Green fruits with honey are used to treat stomach diseases. For cooking, take about 500 grams of crushed pulp, pour an equal amount of liquid honey and insist for 14 days without access to sunlight. In addition to honey, nuts are poured with sugar syrup, cooked according to the formula 1:1.

Jam is made from fruits with or without peel. Unpeeled nuts are subjected to a double soaking procedure: first, the fruits are soaked in cold water for 12 hours, then for 24 hours, with additional piercing in several places. If the bitterness has not gone away, then soaking in lime water is practiced. Then the nuts are boiled for 10 minutes and proceed to the laying of additional components.

Information! Bitterness is due to the high content of certain components on the surface of the peel.

To make the jam delicious, the nuts are soaked until the bitter taste disappears.

Peeled nuts are not soaked, but immediately poured with sugar syrup and boiled jam. Additional ingredients can be: lemon zest and juice, orange pulp. It depends on individual preference.

Warning! When using jam from walnut fruits, it is necessary to take into account the increased content of iodine.

Green fruits are rich in this element, after processing its content decreases slightly.

Tinctures and decoctions are prepared from peel, pulp or leaves. Alcohol tincture is prepared from unpeeled nuts. Take 15 pieces, cut into several equal parts, pour 0.5 liters of vodka. For tincture, a glass container is used to be able to evaluate the appearance of the liquid as it is prepared. At first, the tincture is green, as it infuses it becomes dark. The liquid is left for 14 days. After darkening, the tincture is ready for use.

Vodka tincture is often used for compresses. They help relieve joint pain, eliminate the effects of injuries, and improve the general condition.

Oil tincture is made from olive oil and unpeeled fruits. For 250 milliliters of oil take 5-6 nuts. They are cut, poured with oil and insisted for 40 days. This remedy eliminates the effects of burns, treats skin diseases and joint pain. Used for rubbing or compression bandages.

How much can you store

If we talk about the shelf life, you should consider the type of prepared product:

Green fruits do not store more than 2-5 days. When cut, they begin to dry out and lose their beneficial properties.
Fruit jam is stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at a temperature of -4 to -2 degrees. Jam is able to retain useful properties for a long time: from 6 months to 1 year.
Tinctures are stored in the complete absence of direct sunlight for 4-6 months.
Decoctions on leaves, peel or pulp can be stored for no more than 3 days.
Oil tinctures are stored out of the refrigerator for 3-5 months.
Medicine on nuts with honey retains its beneficial properties for 3 months.

All products prepared with green walnuts should be taken with extreme caution if there are minimal contraindications. The fruits have a strong healing effect, so be sure to follow the frequency of receptions.