Drying

Removal of moisture from the freshly hulled walnuts as soon as possible is necessary to maintain high kernel quality. Walnuts are elevated from the hulling line and placed into drying bins. The drying bins have a mesh floor through which gas heated warm air is blown through the bin of walnuts removing the moisture from the kernel and shell of the walnuts. Temperatures and moisture content of the walnuts are closely watched throughout the drying process. The process dries the walnuts down to a shelf stable 8 to 10% moisture content. At this point the walnuts are non-perishable and can be kept for many months without deterioration.