The short answer
Care does not stop at harvest. Prompt collection and drying, controlled cracking and final sorting determine how the walnut reaches its pack.
The work starts well before harvest
We are in the orchards throughout the year, following each stage from budbreak to ripening. The crop develops gradually, and the work responds to the trees and the weather.
At 500 metres in Lykoudi, Elassona, the seasons are distinct. Harvest begins once the nut has completed its cycle and the green hull opens.
Harvesting and drying
Harvesting and drying are mechanised so the walnuts can be collected and dried promptly and correctly. Removing moisture is a critical step before storage.
Some remain as in-shell walnuts, while those intended for kernels continue to cracking.
Cracking by certified partners
Certified partners handle cracking with suitable equipment. The aim is to open the shell while preserving the kernel’s natural form as effectively as possible.
This produces different proportions of whole halves, quarters and smaller pieces; no two batches are identical.
We complete the final sorting
After cracking, we sort the kernels ourselves by hand. We remove anything that should not enter the pack and separate the product grades.
This gives us a direct view of each batch and of the actual availability of halves, quarters and smaller pieces.
The orchards today
The first 50 trees were planted in 1992. Today our family grows more than 700 trees across more than five hectares on the western foothills of Mount Olympus.
The scale has changed, but our involvement remains personal: we are present in the orchard, at harvest and in the final selection of the kernels.
Frequently asked questions
Why must walnuts be dried promptly after harvest?
Prompt, correct drying reduces moisture before storage and supports proper preservation of the nut.
Where are the walnuts cracked?
Certified partners handle cracking with suitable equipment. We then carry out the final kernel sorting ourselves.
Why does the quantity of whole halves change each year?
The proportion of halves and smaller pieces depends on the crop, the individual nuts and the results of cracking and sorting.