How To Tell If Black Walnuts Are Good

You can tell if black walnuts are good by checking their weight, shell condition, and the sound they make when you shake them.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to tell if black walnuts are good, the answer mostly comes down to a few simple sensory checks you can do right at home.
 
Black walnuts are good when they’re heavy for their size, have intact shells, and don’t rattle when shaken.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to tell if black walnuts are good, including the float test, the shake test, and what to look for once you crack them open.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Tell If Black Walnuts Are Good

Knowing how to tell if black walnuts are good starts with understanding what makes a bad one.
 
A good black walnut is dense, solid, and free of mold or insect damage.
 
A bad one is usually light, hollow, or discolored inside.
 
Here are the main signs that tell you whether black walnuts are good or not.
 

1. Check the Weight

Good black walnuts feel heavy for their size.
 
If you pick one up and it feels surprisingly light, that’s a red flag.
 
A light black walnut usually means the kernel inside has shriveled up or dried out.
 
When black walnuts are good, the kernel is plump and fills the shell, which gives it that satisfying heft.
 
So the first test for whether black walnuts are good is simply weighing them in your hand.
 

2. Shake Them and Listen

Give each black walnut a gentle shake near your ear.
 
If black walnuts are good, you’ll hear almost nothing.
 
A soft rattle means the kernel has shrunk and is bouncing around inside the shell.
 
That happens when the nut has dried out too much or sat around for too long.
 
So if you’re trying to figure out how to tell if black walnuts are good, the shake test is one of the quickest ways to do it.
 

3. Inspect the Shell

The shell of a good black walnut should be hard, clean, and free of holes.
 
Small holes usually mean insects got inside.
 
Cracks or soft spots can let in moisture, which leads to mold.
 
When black walnuts are good, the shell feels solid all the way around with no give.
 
Any sticky residue or dark, sunken spots are signs the black walnuts are not good.
 

The Float Test for Black Walnuts

The float test is a classic trick for figuring out if black walnuts are good.
 
Just drop your black walnuts into a bowl of water.
 
If black walnuts are good, they’ll sink to the bottom.
 
Bad ones float because the kernel inside has dried up, leaving air pockets.
 
That said, this test works best for in-shell black walnuts that haven’t been hulled and dried for storage yet.
 

1. What Floating Really Means

A floating black walnut isn’t always completely ruined, but it’s usually a sign the kernel is shriveled.
 
If most of your batch floats, the black walnuts are probably not good for eating.
 
You might still crack them open to check, but don’t expect much.
 

2. When to Skip the Float Test

If your black walnuts are already shelled or have been stored for months, the float test isn’t as reliable.
 
At that point, you’re better off using the weight and shake tests to see if black walnuts are good.
 

Checking the Kernel Inside

Sometimes the only real way to know if black walnuts are good is to crack one open.
 
Here’s what to look for once the shell is off.
 

1. Color and Texture

A good black walnut kernel is light tan to creamy white with a firm, crisp texture.
 
If the kernel is dark, rubbery, or shriveled, the black walnuts are not good.
 
Mold shows up as fuzzy patches or a musty smell, so toss those right away.
 

2. Smell and Taste

Good black walnuts smell nutty and earthy, not sour or rancid.
 
Take a small bite if you’re unsure.
 
If black walnuts are good, they’ll taste rich and slightly bitter in that classic black walnut way.
 
A sharp, bitter, or soapy taste means they’ve gone bad.
 

3. Watch for Worms

Sometimes you’ll crack open a black walnut and find a tiny worm or webbing inside.
 
That’s a clear sign the black walnuts are not good.
 
Discard any nuts with visible insects or fine dust that looks like frass.
 

Storing Black Walnuts So They Stay Good

Once you know how to tell if black walnuts are good, the next step is keeping them that way.
 
In-shell black walnuts stay good for several months in a cool, dry place.
 
For longer storage, keep them in the fridge or freezer in an airtight bag.
 
Shelled black walnuts go rancid faster, so use them within a few weeks or freeze them.
 
Proper storage is what keeps black walnuts good long after harvest.
 

So, How Can You Tell If Black Walnuts Are Good?

You can tell if black walnuts are good by checking their weight, giving them a shake, and inspecting the shell for damage.
 
If black walnuts are good, they’ll feel heavy, stay quiet when shaken, and sink in water.
 
Once cracked open, a good black walnut has a light, crisp kernel with a nutty smell.
 
Use these simple tests the next time you’re sorting a batch, and you’ll never second-guess whether your black walnuts are good again.