Noix de Grenoble

Noix de Grenoble are walnuts that are gathered in their shells from the end of September and come from three different varieties in the French departments of Isére, Drôme and Savoie. The ancient Romans brought the walnut trees to France and since it was a highly prized item (they used to pay the rent with walnuts), the trees were very well nurtured and cared for, giving the Grenoble walnuts their unique quality and taste.

The three varieties of these walnuts (franquette, mayette, and parisienne) differ in shape, color and taste, and they are commonly used in onion soups that are served at weddings, pressed for walnut oil, eaten candied, in the form of nougat or jam, in salads, cheeses or used in cakes.