Wood is one of the most versatile natural materials and can be used in a multitude of ways. Whether you are a passionate cook who loves experimenting with new ingredients or simply look for ways to enhance the aesthetics of your home, you will find many uses for different types of wood.
One such popular wood that is used in so many different ways today is walnut wood – also known as but not limited to boxwood, English walnut, European walnut, Persian walnut, filbert, seal-jaw or black walnut.
It comes from the same tree as hickory nuts but has a completely different flavor profile.
What is Walnut Wood?
Walnut wood is a type of hardwood that comes from a type of tree known as the black walnut. There are two main types of walnut wood found in nature – English walnut and Persian walnut.
However, the most commonly found type of walnut wood is the European walnut. Currently, the Persian walnut has been declared endangered and there are no longer many of these trees left.
The black walnut tree is a species native to the eastern and central United States, from Alabama to New Jersey. A mature black walnut tree can grow to a height of around 35 feet with a diameter of about 2 feet.
The wood of a black walnut tree is generally light brown and orange in color when it is fresh. However, as it ages, the wood tends to turn dark brown and even black.
Benefits of Using Walnut Wood
– Healthy Wood: Many people prefer to use walnut wood as it is one of the healthiest woods on earth. Because it comes directly from the tree, it is free from chemicals, has no VOCs and is not dyed, it is a great choice for those who are looking to maintain health, especially if you have respiratory problems.
– Strong Wood: The strong flavors found in the wood of black walnuts make it an excellent wood for roasting. The oils in the wood help to brown foods and make them more flavorful.
– Sustainable Wood: People who are concerned about the environment are always looking for ways to sustainably harvest foods and that is why walnut wood is gaining popularity.
– Versatile Wood: Walnut wood is versatile in the sense that it can be used for a variety of cooking techniques, making it one of the most versatile woods available.
How to Use Walnut Wood in Cooking?
– Use in Grilling: When you are grilling food, use a mixture of walnut wood and mesquite wood to get rich flavors and a smoky taste.
– Use in Smoking: You can use walnut wood to smoke foods like bacon, fish, pork and vegetables like carrots, turnips, beets and potatoes.
– Use in Oven Roasting: When you are roasting food in the oven, you can use a mixture of walnut wood and mesquite wood.
– Use in Sautéing: When you are sautéing food, you can use a mixture of walnut wood and mesquite wood.
– Use in Broiling: When you are broiling food, you can use a mixture of walnut wood and mesquite wood.
– Use in Drying Food: Before you dry food like fruits, vegetables and herbs, you can use a mixture of walnut wood and mesquite wood.
– Use in Wood-fired Ovens: If you are interested in using walnut wood as an alternative fuel source for your wood-fired oven, you can try it out.
– Use in Barbecue Smoking: You can also try using a mixture of walnut wood and mesquite wood while smoking food like ribs, brisket and sausage.
Variations in walnut wood
– Color: The color of walnut wood can range from light brown to dark brown or even black.
– Texture: The texture of walnut wood can vary from coarse to semi-firm and aromatic to sweet.
– Price: The price of walnut wood can vary from $4 to $30 per barrel depending on the grade of the wood.
– Sustainability: The walnut wood used today is from the black walnut tree and due to the demise of this species, the wood is not sustainable. The Persian walnut wood is a sustainable type of wood that is found from the Persian walnut tree.
– Origin: The European walnut wood comes from the black walnut tree and the Persian walnut wood is from the Persian walnut tree.
Cons of Walnut Wood
Must Be Dry: You will get the best results when you use walnut wood as a fuel when it is dry. Therefore, it is important that you store your walnut wood properly. – Smells: The aromatic and sweet flavor of walnut wood is appealing and is why it is used so often. But, some people may find the aroma of the wood to be too strong.
– Smart Wood: Due to its unique texture, the smart wood is hard to handle and is liable to get scratched. Therefore, it is advisable to use it carefully.
– VOCs: The VOCs present in the wood of black walnut trees are harmful and may lead to respiratory problems. Therefore, you should avoid using walnut wood for prolonged periods.
– Long Term Storage: Due to the fact that you will get best results from using dry walnut wood as a fuel, it is advisable to store it properly. This means that you should not store the wood in a place where it will be exposed to moisture.
How to clean walnut wood?
There are a variety of ways to clean walnut wood. For example, you can use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean it, or soak it in boiling water for a few minutes and then use a vacuum cleaner to remove the debris.
You can also use a special walnut wood cleaner to remove stains and odors from the wood. After cleaning the wood, you should store it in an airtight container so that it doesn’t get water logged.
Final Words
Wood is one of the most versatile natural materials and can be used in a multitude of ways. Whether you are a passionate cook who loves experimenting with new ingredients or simply look for ways to enhance the aesthetics of your home, you will find many uses for different types of wood.
One such popular wood that is used in so many different ways today is walnut wood – also known as but not limited to boxwood, English walnut, European walnut, Persian walnut, filbert, seal-jaw or black walnut. It comes from the same tree as hickory nuts but has a completely different flavor profile.
The benefits of using walnut wood are numerous and include healthy wood, strong wood, sustainable wood, versatile wood and rich wood flavors. The walnut wood can be used for grilling, smoking, roasting, sautéing and more.