Basic Introduction to Anji Mountain Walnuts
Anji Mountain Walnuts are a specialty of Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The Daxi Mountain Walnuts in Anji County grow wild all year round and do not require the use of pesticides or other chemical means to increase production, making them a natural, pollution-free green food.
Nutritional Value
The kernels of mountain walnuts contain 7.8-9.6% protein, with more than seven essential amino acids present at levels exceeding 25%, as well as 22 trace elements necessary for human health. Among these, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron are particularly abundant. According to available data, one kilogram of walnut kernels is nutritionally equivalent to nine kilograms of fresh milk, five kilograms of eggs, or two kilograms of beef.
Product Characteristics
They are known for their bright, thin shells, fragrant aroma, crisp texture, and delicious taste, enjoying a good reputation in Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and beyond.
Historical Folklore
It is said that during the late Yuan Dynasty, Liu Bowen traveled from Tianmu Mountain to Yinzhang's Thousand Mu Field where he met Zhu Yuanzhang. The two talked about history and current affairs and hit it off immediately. Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's imposing figure, remarkable appearance, and ambitious nature, Liu Bowen advised him to recruit soldiers and horses in Thousand Mu Field to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang responded, “Easier said than done. Where would we get our military rations?” This posed a challenge for Liu Bowen.
One day, while Liu Bowen had nothing to do, he went into the kitchen and saw a chef boiling celery in boiling water. He asked, “Why are you doing this?” The chef replied, “Celery has a slight bitter taste. Boiling it briefly in hot water removes the bitterness before cooking.” Inspired by this, Liu Bowen wondered if the abundant mountain walnuts, which no one paid attention to, could be boiled to remove their bitterness. After trying it out, it proved effective; after roasting them over a fire, the walnuts became both fragrant and crispy. News of this spread quickly, and large quantities of mountain walnuts were transported to Suzhou and Hangzhou for sale. As a result, people had more money and sufficient food. Liu Bowen told Zhu Yuanzhang about this, and Zhu seized the opportunity to recruit soldiers, raise funds, train troops, and launch attacks on multiple fronts. With ample soldiers and provisions, Zhu Yuanzhang's forces advanced swiftly, soon overthrowing the Yuan Dynasty and establishing the Ming Dynasty. Later, the mountain was named Daming Mountain, and the mountain walnuts became known as “Daming Fruits.”