CHINESE CHESTNUTS

​People often ask, “Why Chinese chestnuts?”​ It’s a good question; after all, there are four main species that are relevant: American, European, Japanese, and Chinese.

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The American chestnut, once dominant across the eastern United States, was nearly wiped out by blight in the early 1900s. Its nuts are small but wonderfully sweet—just not practical for today’s growers. Because the trees remain highly susceptible to disease, they aren’t suited for commercial planting.

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European and Japanese chestnuts produce impressively large nuts, but their flavor and texture simply don’t compare. Japanese varieties offer some blight resistance, but European types have little to none.

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That’s where the Chinese chestnut shines. These trees combine reliable blight resistance with excellent nut quality—sweet flavor, easy peeling, and great storage life. They produce nuts in a range of sizes, and their consistent performance makes them a favorite among growers and customers alike.

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Simply put, Chinese chestnuts taste better, peel better, and store better—and that’s why we grow them here at Valley Chestnuts.

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