Chestnuts were first cultivated in China, Japan, Italy and Spain, and there are more than 100 chestnut types. Chestnuts are usually consumed roasted or boiled, and this delicious food is often used in various recipes. Chestnuts are also used in the production of flower.
You can find fresh chestnuts mostly in autumn and winter, and processed chestnuts can be bought throughout the whole year.
Chestnuts Nutrition Facts
Chestnuts are known for their sweet taste and texture. 100 grams of fresh chestnut (edible parts) have 170 calories, which means a lot less than nuts, such as hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts which contain three times more calories.Chestnuts, same as the nuts we previously listed, do not contain cholesterol. This amazing gift of nature contains small amount of fat, mostly unsaturated fat and which is more important, chestnuts are gluten-free.
This is the main reason why chestnuts are ideal for patients diagnosed with celiac disease.
Chestnuts contain similar amount of carbohydrates as grains (wheat, rice), and twice as much starch as potatoes. They are rich in sugar, even 8% of the edible part contain various types of sugar, including glucose, fructose and others.
Chestnuts are also rich in minerals, including phosphorus and calcium and they contain small amount of iron and B vitamins.
Chestnut fruit contains lots of water (around 50%) and it should be stored on dry and cold place, same as vegetables. You should consume the chestnuts you have bought within a month, and frozen chestnuts can be used within a 6 months.
Beware of the possible “explosion” while roasting chestnuts. For that purpose, after you wash and dry them, use a knife and carefully make a small cut on the side.
You can also dry chestnuts and use them to make flour, which can later on be used for making bread, cookies, pasta, etc. Chestnut flour can be found in healthy food shops, and the bread made of chestnut flower can stay fresh up to two weeks.
When added in stews, chestnut gives thickening effect, and you can also use it to make puree.
Health benefits of Chestnuts
Chestnuts are nutritive valuable food which is especially recommended in cases of exhaustion.Healing properties of chestnuts are especially beneficial for tired and weak people. They are also recommended for people eager to strengthen their muscles, for patients after their reconvalescence (recovering after a certain health condition), anemic people, sportist, and even for people suffering from constipation.
Chestnuts give good effect in the treatment of cough and other respiratory problems.
Chestnuts can help in the recovering of microscopic holes in blood vessels and capillaries. Thanks to this food product, your blood vessels will be elastic and less prone to damages.
