PRESTIGE CHESTNUTS

Origin: France

Season: October - February 

These premium French chestnuts represent the finest quality available, sourced from traditional chestnut groves across France's renowned growing regions. Classified as 'Extra Quality', these chestnuts meet the strictest standards for size consistency, shell integrity, and flavour intensity, ensuring exceptional results in both sweet and savoury preparations.

French Extra Quality chestnuts are distinguished by their large, uniform size and glossy, unblemished shells that protect the sweet, creamy flesh within. Each chestnut is carefully selected to ensure optimal freshness and flavour development. The nuts feature a naturally sweet, nutty taste with subtle earthy undertones that intensify when cooked, making them highly prized by professional chefs and home cooks alike.

Fresh chestnuts are typically available from October through February, with peak quality occurring during the autumn months when they are freshly harvested. The Extra Quality designation ensures these chestnuts are selected at optimal ripeness for maximum flavour and texture.

These versatile nuts excel in both traditional and contemporary cuisine. They can be roasted whole for a classic autumn treat, where the shells split to reveal the tender, sweet flesh inside. When peeled and cooked, chestnuts work beautifully in stuffings for poultry and game, adding rich, nutty depth to seasonal dishes. They also shine in soups and purées, creating velvety textures with complex flavours.

In sweet applications, chestnuts are essential for classic French desserts such as marrons glacés and Mont Blanc, whilst also working superbly in modern patisserie. Their natural sweetness and creamy texture make them ideal for incorporating into cakes, tarts, and confections.

Before cooking, score an 'X' into each chestnut shell to prevent bursting during cooking. They can then be roasted, boiled, or steamed until tender, typically taking 15-20 minutes depending on size and cooking method.

Net:  500g