British spelt product specialist Sharpham Park has announced the release of its first commercial organic walnut crop.
The story about Sharpham Park’s walnut crop featured recently on BBC’s Countryfile. During the programme the company’s founder Roger Saul told presenter Anita Rani that the 300 walnut trees on the estate had been planted 12 years ago – and were now ready to harvest.
Since filming Sharpham Park branded walnuts have gone on sale on the company’s website, retailing at £8.95 for a 500g bag.
Saul added: “When I first found the remains of a monk’s lunch of walnuts, scallop shells and chicken bones stuffed into the lime mortar of a medieval wall of Sharpham, I knew I had to grow walnuts. What I didn’t know was that it would take me more than 20 years to get there.”
Walnuts are one of the few plant-based foods that contain high levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids and are a vital part of a healthy diet. Recent scientific studies have shown that the consumption of walnuts can help in promoting healthy brain function, rich in heart protecting plant serums, research has also found that eating a handful of walnuts a day provides protection from heart disease.
To help customers get creative with their walnuts, Roger Saul has included a number of walnut recipes in his cookbook Spelt – everything from the mouth-watering Gnocchi with Walnut and Basil Pesto to Walnut and Coffee Cake.
