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History of Roasted or Salted Nuts
History of Roasted or Salted Nuts
Learn about the history of roasted or salted nuts With the current archeological dig in Israel, researchers were able to found out that about 780,000 years ago, nuts formed the main part of man's diet. Seven different varieties of nuts were found buried deep in a bog along with stone tools that were used to crack them open. The seven known nuts include water chestnut, prickly water lily, wild almond, and two varieties of both pistachios and acorns. The water chestnut and pistachios are similar to those found in northern Europe and the Far East today.
Up to 50 pitted stones and at least one depression was found in a site in Israel. The depression was known to be formed when they were using the stones to open large quantities of nuts (hard nuts). The stones (also known as nutting stones) are similar to the stones found in Europe and the United States which were date back 4,000 to 8,000 years by archeologists.
When the early native Americans want to crack open the nuts, they will place a nut in the depression made on the stone and then hit it with another stone which is called the "hammer stone." They always eat the nuts as a whole. The history of roasted or salted nuts says that they also used to ground them with mortar and pestle; this is to make nut butter or flour. Nuts used were hickory nuts, chestnuts, beechnuts, and walnuts. They use the shells as fuel for their fires. Most times, they will cook the nutmeats; they will take off the congealed fat after the broth cooled for later cooking.
The above shows that nuts have been one of the best foods for humans since the beginnings of history.
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Almonds
According to historians, almonds were among the first cultivated foods (as mentioned in the bible). It has been found by archaeologists in excavation sites in both Greece and Cyprus. The famous Arabian marzipan, which is a sweet paste candy made from almonds, was brought back from the Holy Lands by the Crusaders in the11th and 13th centuries. This delicious paste candy is still trendy today.
Brazil Nut
Although Brazil Nut is originated from South America, it grows well in the Amazon basin. It is a large nut containing about 15 to 30 seeds arranged in a pod. The pod weighs about 4 to 6 pounds. When it falls, it hits the ground with a force that is enough to kill a man. People gather the pods and crack them open with machetes. The pods are also used as manure. Brazil nuts were dated back to 1569. This was when a Spanish colonial officer was found feeding his troops with them. In the late 17th century, the Dutch traders introduced Brazil nuts to the Europeans.
Cashew Nut
Although the cashew nut is native to Brazil, it is popularly cultivated in Africa and India since the 16th century. The Spanish traders introduced it to the Philippines. Cashew has caustic oil between its inner and outer shells. You first roast or burn the outer shell after which you boil or roast again to remove the inner shell.
Hazelnut
The hazelnut (also known as filbert) has been around for a very long time. To some people, filbert and hazelnuts are the same, while other people think that they are just cousins. The hazelnut is also known as the Spanish Nut or Cobb Nut. According to a manuscript found in China (dated back in 2838 B.C.), the hazelnut has been shown to be one of the five sacred nourishments God gave humans. The word “hazel” was derived from the old English word for the hood. In 1629, hazelnut was introduced to America by seeds shipment. Currently, Washington and Oregon are producing about 3% of the world's supply.
Macadamia Nut
Macadamia nut was connected to Hawaii, but it was originated from the rain forests of Queensland in Australia. This nut was transported to Hawaii in the late 19th century. Today, Hawaii is the largest supplier of macadamia nut in the world.
Pecans
Archeologists were able to find the remains of pecans in Texas during the archeological excavations. This is with human artifacts that were dated back to 6100 B.C. Pecans was native to North America only, and it was known to be a staple in the diets of the early settlers and the natives. It was found near river beds.
Peanut
The peanut originated from South America, and it is not a nut. It is a member of the pea family. Portuguese and Spanish slave traders introduced them to Europe and Africa. They also took them to the US. Although peanut used to be food for poor people, it became popular, and its demand increased in the 20th century. Nowadays, salted and roasted peanuts are very popular as well as the new peanut butter.
Walnuts
Archaeologists were able to find out the oldest walnut remains in Iraq; these remains were believed to be from 50,000 B.C. Walnut is very popular among the Greeks and Romans because the early Romans see it as the food for Gods. Walnuts in the history of roasted or salted nuts are used for oil and thickening food when powdered just like corn-starch is used today. Also, walnuts were used as a trading item throughout the Mediterranean by English ships. This is why it is commonly called “English Walnut.” In the 18th century, Franciscan Fathers brought walnuts to California from Spain. Today, California is the world’s producer of walnut!
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More articles about the history of roasted or salted nuts:
Eurostat - History of nuts
North American Vegetarian Society - Nuts & Seeds: Ancient Foods That Are Still Nutritional Gems Today