Basic Introduction to Garcia Walnut
The Garcia walnut is a variety produced in Garcia County, Tibet. Main types include the Butter Walnut, Sparrow Walnut, Iron Walnut, and over ten others. They are renowned for their thin shells, large size, tender flesh, full kernels, and rich, sweet flavor throughout the highlands. They have been tribute items for successive Dalai Lamas and aristocrats.
Nutritional Value
Tests show that the Garcia walnut has an oil content of 64-80%, and crude protein content of 11.3-17.1%. It can be eaten as food and also serves to nourish the brain and promote health. It is an excellent dry fruit and an important traditional Chinese medicine. Walnut wood is fine-grained and solid, with beautiful patterns, making it suitable for military use and high-end furniture. The walnut tree has deep roots, lush foliage, and a long life span, making it an ideal choice for greening mountains, courtyards, and roads.
Product Characteristics
The Garcia walnut has a thin, crispy shell and is large in size. Its flesh is abundant, fragrant, sweet, and crisp, rich in nutrients. It is grown over a wide area and yields a large quantity. The Garcia walnut has a high oil content and is rich in crude protein. Regular consumption can nourish the brain and promote health.
Historical Folklore
In Garcia County, walnuts are named based on their quality and appearance. For example, “Mada Gag” refers to walnuts with a high oil content, “Jida Gag” means “thin-shelled and easy to break,” and “Doda Gag” is used to describe walnuts with thick, hard shells. There are several types of shapes: “Xieda” (long and oval, with high oil content in the kernel, fragrant and crispy), and “Quda” (with a rough surface, thick shell, and a full kernel, slightly bitter when eaten).
By 2009, there were over 400 acres with more than 7,000 walnut trees in the county, producing over 200 tons of walnuts annually, worth 1.2 million yuan. The main distribution of Garcia walnuts is in four townships along the river, across 63 villages, at altitudes between 3,100 and 3,300 meters. They flower from late April to early May and mature around mid-September.
Preparation Method for Garcia Walnut
Sesame Walnut Kernel
Ingredients
Walnut kernels, sesame seeds, honey, sugar, butter
Instructions
1. Heat the walnuts in a microwave oven on high for one minute.
2. Remove them, add honey, sugar, and butter, stir, and heat again in the microwave for another minute.
3. Stir again, return to the microwave, and heat for two more minutes.
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds, stir, and let cool before eating. The result is just as good as store-bought.