Technical Information
Sizes
Walnuts are a simple, yet powerful food to fuel wellness and fitness goals. Walnut kernels are available in different sizes. The specifications are based on the “USDA Standards for Grades of Shelled Walnuts”
USDA Standard Sizes for Walnut Kernels
Walnut Halves
Description: 7/8 or more of the kernel is intact. 85% or more of lot, by weight, are half kernels.
USDA Size Tolerances: No more than 5% smaller than three-fourths halves of which no more than 1% may pass through 16/64 inch (6.35 mm)
Walnut Pieces and Halves
Description: 20% or more of lot, by weight, are half kernels (7/8 or more of the kernel is intact).
USDA Size Tolerances: No more than 18% shall pass through 24/64 inch (9.52 mm) round hole of which no more than 3% may pass through 16/64 inch (6.35 mm) and of 3% no more than 1% may pass through 8/64 inch (3.18 mm) round screen hole.
Walnut Pieces
Description: Portions of kernels in lot cannot pass through 24/64 inch (9.53 mm) round openings.
USDA Size Tolerances: No more than 25% shall pass through 24/64 inch (9.53 mm) round hole of which no more than 5% may pass through 16/64 inch (6.35 mm) and of 5% no more than 1% may pass through 8/64 inch (3.18 mm) round hole included in the 5%.
Walnut Small Pieces
Description: Portions of kernels in lot pass through 24/64 inch (9.53 mm) round openings but cannot pass through 8/64 inch (3.18 mm) round openings.
USDA Size Tolerances: USDA Size Tolerances: 10% will not pass through 24/64 inch (9.53 mm) round hole and 2% pass through 8/64 inch (3.18 mm) round hole.
Typical Industrial Sizes of Walnut Kernels
Walnut Medium Pieces
Although not covered in USDA Standards, medium pieces are a common size classification used in the California Walnut industry. No less than 98% may pass through a 32/64 inch (12.7 mm) screen. No more than 3% may pass through 16/64 inch (6.35 mm) screen. No more than 1% may pass through 8/64 (3.18 mm) screen.
Walnut Meal (double diced)
The smallest form of the California Walnut comes in various consistencies ranging from a coarse meal to a fine powder. Use walnut meal to dust cakes, integrate into dough and batter, and for walnut compounds. Finely ground walnuts are incorporated into pastas, added to fillings, and used as a thickening agent in sauces.
Topping Pieces
Portions of kernels in lot pass through 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) square screen hole or a 20/64 inch (7.64 mm) round screen hole.
Syrupers
Portions of kernel in a lot pass through 3/8 inch (9.35 mm) square screen hole or 28/64 inch (11.11 mm) round screen hole.
In-shell Walnuts
Walnuts with a perfect shell are predetermined to be sold as in-shell walnuts. These are sized as jumbo, large, medium or baby according to USDA standards.
California Walnuts Leaders In Food Safety
California Walnuts are handled with great care and attention to bring our customers and consumers the best quality product. For more than a century, the California walnut industry has earned a reputation for producing the highest quality walnuts in the world while maintaining an exceptional food safety record.