Have you ever noticed that after an evening spent cracking walnuts, your fingers hurt and you end up with piles of shells on the table? You may have even found sharp shards in your baked goods or salad.
But what if there was a method that would turn this quest into a five-minute task?
Chef Anna Ivanova , whose culinary blog "Eat at Home" has amassed millions of subscribers, shared a secret in an interview with Gourmet magazine: "Pour boiling water over the nuts for 10 minutes - the shell will become soft, like peach skin, and the kernels will remain whole." Seems too simple? Then read on.
Why does boiling water work?
A study published in the Journal of Food Science explains that short-term exposure to hot water breaks down lignin, the polymer that makes the shell tough, without the heat having time to affect the fats inside the kernels, preserving their flavor and nutritional value.
Professor of food chemistry Michael Roberts, from the University of Leeds, adds: "This method is particularly effective for walnuts and hazelnuts, where the shell is tightly attached to the kernel."
Step by Step: How to Peel Nuts in 5 Minutes
- Preparation: Take a deep bowl and pour boiling water over the nuts so that the water completely covers them.
- Timing: Leave for 10-12 minutes. For larger specimens (e.g. Brazil nuts) the time can be increased to 15 minutes.
- Cleaning. Drain the water, dry the nuts slightly with a towel. Now the shell can be easily removed with a knife or even your fingers.
- Drying. Place the kernels on a paper towel or baking sheet and leave for 1-2 hours at room temperature. To speed up the process, you can use the oven at 50°C (10-15 minutes).
Reader Olga from Krasnodar shared on social media: "I used to spend an hour peeling a glass of hazelnuts. Now I can do it in 10 minutes, and the kids help – it's become a family ritual!"
Don't like messing with water? Try a freezer life hack. Freeze the nuts for 2 hours - the shell will become brittle. Hit them with a hammer, wrapping the nuts in a towel to prevent them from "flying apart".
If you don't have that much time, preheat the oven to 180°C, place the nuts on a baking sheet for 5 minutes. Use oven mitts - the shells will be hot!
What do scientists say?
An experiment conducted in 2023 by the FoodTech Lab showed that nuts peeled with boiling water retain 15% more antioxidants compared to mechanical peeling.
However, the researchers warn that the method is not suitable for pine nuts – their delicate structure is destroyed upon contact with water.
Interestingly, walnuts were considered an elite food in the Middle Ages because they were so labor-intensive to clean. Archaeologists have found 14th-century tools in Italy that resemble nutcrackers, used by servants of noble families. Today, thanks to modern methods, everyone can enjoy nuts.
Nutritionist's opinion
“Nuts are a source of healthy fats and protein, but many avoid them because they are difficult to clean,” says nutritionist Elena Zudina . She emphasizes: “Regular consumption of 30 g of nuts reduces the risk of heart disease by 20% (WHO data, 2022). Don’t deprive yourself of the benefits because of laziness!”
Now you have no excuse to buy expensive shelled nuts or avoid them in recipes. As chef Jamie Oliver told BBC Food : “Cooking should be fun, not painful for your fingers.”
Try the boiling water method and share your results in the comments. Maybe your method will become a new trend!
P.S. Fun fact: In Japan, they use special devices with vibrating blades to clean nuts. But why spend money if you have a kettle and a bowl?
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya