INSHELL WALNUT GRADING AND SPECIFICATIONS

I. U. S. No. 1:

A. Shells: Walnut shells must be dry, bright and practically clean. Walnuts in shells must have no more than 10% splits and no more than 5% damage, of which no more than 3% can be serious damage.

1. Damage:

a. Broken shells greater than 1/4" in diameter or having the two halves completely separated.

b. Perforations aggregating more than 1/4" but not more than 3/8".

c. Adhering hulls affecting more than 5% but not more than 12.5% of shell surface.

d. Discoloration affecting more than 20% of shell surface but less than 33%.

e. Other.

 

2. Serious Damage:

a. Perforations aggregating more than 3/8".

b. Adhering hulls affecting more than 12.5% of shell surface.

c. Discoloration affecting 33% or more of shell surface.

d. Other.

 

B. Kernels: Walnuts must have no live insects. No more than 10% damage is allowed, of which no more than 6% can be serious damage and no more than 5% can be from insects.

1. Damage:

a. Dark discoloration or darker than amber meats.

b. Not well dried or pliable and rubbery.

c. Shrivel affecting more than 5%, but not more than 12.5%.

d. Other.

 

2. Serious Damage:

a. Wet or undercured meats.

b. Shrivel affecting more than 12.5% of both halves or more than 50% on one of the halves.

c. Rancid meats.

d. Mold - any conspicuous amount or inconspicuous mold affecting an area larger than 12.5% of the entire surface of the meats.

e. Other.

f. Insect damage where the insect, web or frass is present inside the shell or evidence of insect feeding is seen. This item is limited to 5% of the sample number.

 

3. Color:

40% of the walnuts must qualify as light for color and 70% must qualify as light amber or lighter. A sample may have no more than 10% darker than amber meats. Veining or specking of the skin or dark knobs are typical of certain varieties of walnuts and are permitted to the extent that they do not materially affect the appearance or darken the overall color.

 

II. U. S. No. 2:

A. Shells: Walnut shells must be dry and practically clean. Walnuts in shells must have no more than 10% splits and no more than 10% damage or serious damage, of which no more than 5% can have adhering hulls. The tolerances that make up the various defects are the same as those listed for U. S. No. 1 above.

B. Kernels: Walnuts must have no live insects. No more than 15% damage is allowed, of which no more than 8% can be serious damage and no more than 5% can be from insects. The tolerances for kernel defects are the same as those listed for U. S. No. 1 above. 60% of the walnuts must qualify as light amber or lighter for color.

III. Variety Specifications: A variety certification can be made if there are not over 10% of other varieties in the sample.

IV. Size Specifications:

A. Jumbo: Not over 12% pass through a 80/64" round opening.

B. Large: Not over 12% pass through a 77/64" round opening.

C. Medium: 88% pass through 77/64" of which 12% pass through a 73/64" round opening.

D. Standard: Not over 12% pass through a 73/64" round opening.

E. Baby: 88% pass through 74/64" of which not over 10% pass through a 60/64" round opening.

V. Other: A 100 nut composite sample is randomly drawn and tested per 10,000 lb. lot of walnuts. No more than one reinspection should be done on any lot. No lot shall be certified for any given grade unless at least 50% of the tests for the lot meet the requirements of that grade. Color shall be determined by comparison with the USDA Walnut Color Chart.

 

 

 

 

As a family-run business, we maintain strict control over all phases of our operation to assure consistent, excellent quality in our finished walnuts. Our packing line is also under continuous DFA inspection in order to certify that all of the walnuts we pack meet the qualifications for a certain grade.

DFA Inspections & Quality Control