Shell

Nuts

Shell

Hickory shells are famously hard—especially shellbark—and are not food. Commercial and home crackers must aspirate grit carefully. Sound shells protect sweet meats from oxygen better than warm open bags. Compost clean shells; do not assume smoking-wood safety. The shell does not tell sweet from bitter species—taste the meat.

Track this ingredient

Unit

Characteristics

Preparations

CrackedCraftDiscardedSteamed Closed

Traits

HardProtectiveStock PotentialUsually Not Eaten

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 349

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 2.5 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.5 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 1 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 5.13 mg
  • Salt 0.01 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 78 g
  • Dietary Fibre 55 g
  • Total Sugars 3 g
  • Complex / starch 8 g
  • Protein 3.5 g
  • Water 12 g
Detailed nutrients

Shell is largely mineral; edible value is minimal except as calcium source when finely prepared.

History

US

Indigenous peoples of eastern North America gathered hickory nuts as a major mast food.

US

Settlers learned sweet versus bitter hickory species from Indigenous knowledge and experience.

US

Hickory remained mostly local and foraged while pecan commercialised more heavily.

Foraging culture and specialty crackers kept sweet hickory nuts in niche US markets.

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