National Nut Day is a holiday celebrated annually on October 22nd. This unofficial holiday celebrates the many nuts that exist in the world today. Most nuts are extremely nutritious and are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and plant sterols, which means that the nuts consumed today are not only tasty but also a healthy addition to any diet. So pick up your favorite nut on this nutty holiday and enjoy not only a delicious snack but also a very nutritious one.

The History of Nuts

Recent excavations in Israel, Iran, and Texas have shown that nuts have been part of the human diet for many hundreds of thousands of years. At an archaeological dig in Israel, archaeologists found primitive nutcrackers and nutshells they believe are over 780,000 years old. In Iran, archaeologists found evidence of humans eating nuts that goes back to 50,000 B.C. And in Texas, archaeologists found pecan shells dated to 6,000 B.C. All this evidence seems to point to the fact that our human ancestors have been eating nuts for quite some time now, which isn’t all that surprising when you think about it. After all, nuts are a highly nutritious food that is easy to transport and can last for months in storage.

In the Middle East, during ancient times, nuts were a food that was widely consumed. In fact, almonds and pistachios are even mentioned in the Bible. In many different parts of this region, sweet almonds were eaten, and the Romans often made candied almonds to serve as a dessert. Almonds weren’t the only nuts enjoyed back then, however. Walnuts were also especially popular, particularly with the Romans, who considered them to be the food of the gods. During the Middle Ages in Europe, almond milk was a popular commodity, as was almond flour. Walnut oil was also popular during this time, as was bread eaten by peasants and made from ground-up walnut shells.

During the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe, chestnuts became especially popular. They were particularly important for people who lived in areas that experienced harsh winters. Other nuts that were popular during this time included black walnuts, almonds, and other types of nuts. And when European settlers came to North America, they brought with them the nuts they loved. Today, there are dozens upon dozens of different nut varieties available.

The History of National Nut Day

National Nut Day was created by the Liberation Foods Company in 2015 to celebrate and commemorate the nut. Initially, their holiday was used as a medium to tell the world about Fair Trade Nuts and the small nut producers who grow them. However, in the last few years, this holiday has spread all over the world and is celebrated by nut fans everywhere. And why shouldn’t nuts be celebrated? After all, they’ve been part of the human diet for hundreds of thousands of years.

Nutty Facts About Nuts

• Cashew shells are toxic.
• Peanuts aren’t nuts – they are legumes!
• Pistachios are actually the seeds of a fruit.
• Cashews are really fruits.
• The Ancient Greeks treated coughs with hazelnuts.
• Hazelnuts are also called filberts.
• Almonds have potential prebiotic properties.
• One serving of walnuts supplies 100% of your daily Omega-3 requirements.
• One serving of chestnuts supplies 20% of your vitamin C requirements.
• Chocolate manufacturers buy 40% of the world’s almond supply.

Celebrating National Nut Day

Probably the best way to celebrate National Nut Day is by picking up some of your favorite nuts and eating them. You can also hold a nut-themed party or perhaps give someone a gift of nuts. Another thing you can try is cooking or baking with your favorite nuts. Just be sure to let everyone know ahead of time, in case someone has a nut allergy. If you use social media, then feel free to post pictures of your favorite nuts on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #NationalNutDay.

Conclusion

While some people may think that this holiday is too “nutty” to be taken seriously, there are plenty of people who are willing to go out there and celebrate the nut. And if you’re a fan of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, or one of the other varieties of nuts, then you might want to celebrate this day as well.