Juglans regia
One of China's most famous and prized varieties. The shell is so thin it cracks easily by hand (paper-shell). Kernel yield is very high and the kernels are light in colour.
Named after Wensu County in the Aksu area of the Uyghur Region, the 185 walnut (also known as Wen 185) grows at around 40° N latitude. It was selected from the region's local walnut populations and quickly became China's best-known paper-shell walnut.
At roughly 0.6–0.8 mm, the shell is so thin that two walnuts can be cracked by squeezing them in the palm. The inner partitions (septa) are thin as well, so the kernel separates cleanly from the shell and over 85% comes out whole (butterfly). Low tannin in the pellicle gives a creamy, sweet taste with no astringency. High kernel yield and light kernel colour make 185 the first choice for both in-shell retail and premium kernel production.
The thin shell has a trade-off: it is more sensitive to impact during transport and storage. Fast calibration after drying, the right moisture level and tightly filled packaging are therefore important, and machine cracking uses a low pressure setting to keep halves intact. For comparison, well-known varieties such as Chandler and Howard typically have a kernel yield of 48–52%. Lots sold as “185 thin shell” that do not qualify as paper-shell have a kernel yield of around 51–53%, so it is important to specify the grade when requesting a quote.
| Kernel yield | 60–68% |
|---|---|
| Whole kernel recovery | Over 85% |
| White (light) kernel ratio | Over 85% |
| Shell thickness | ≈ 0.6–1.2 mm (paper shell) |
| Nuts / kg | ≈ 60–70 nuts |
| Average nut weight | ≈ 14–17 g |
| Caliber | 30 mm+, 32 mm+, 34 mm+ |
| Kernel colour | Extra light / light (light yellow) |
| Oil content (kernel) | 63–65% |
| Taste | Creamy, sweet, crunchy; no astringency |
| Moisture | Max. 5% (kernel < 4.5%) |
| In-shell types | Washed / unwashed |
| Shape | Round to slightly oval, smooth surface |
| Cracking | Cracks by hand |
| Species | Juglans regia |
| Origin | Uyghur Region, Aksu – Wensu |
Values are typical ranges based on season averages and may vary by crop year and orchard. An analysis report and certificates are provided with every lot shipped.
Storage: In-shell: moisture < 5–6%, up to 24 months in a cool, dry place. Kernels: moisture < 4.5%; 12–18 months in controlled cold storage at –2 / +4 °C in vacuum or nitrogen-flushed packaging; reefer containers for long hauls.
After harvest the green hull is removed and the nuts are washed to clear dust and stains from the shell, then dried to the target moisture. Their clean, light appearance makes them shelf-ready.
Walnuts that are only dried, without washing, leaving the shell in its natural colour. They are priced more economically; kernel quality is the same as the washed product.
From whole (butterfly) kernels to pieces, every grade is sorted into light yellow and light amber colour groups. Values are maximum percentages.
| Grade | Defective kernels light yellow / amber | Foreign matter | Moisture | Off-colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra LH Extra light whole (butterfly) | 0,5 / 1,0% | 0,0% | 5,0% | 10% |
| 1/2 LH Light halves | 0,5 / 1,0% | 0,0% | 5,0% | 10% |
| 1/2 LBH Light broken halves | 0,5 / 1,0% | 0,0% | 5,0% | 10% |
| 1/4 LQ Light quarters | 1,0 / 1,0% | 0,0% | 5,0% | 10% |
| LP Light pieces (broken) | 2,0 / 2,0% | 0,0% | 5,0% | 15% |
| MCR Mixed colour broken | 3,0 / 2,0% | 0,1% | 5,0% | – |
Images on a white background or with a ruler are actual product photos; others are illustrative.
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