> The walnuts I ate came from California, distributed by Diamond Walnut > Growers, Inc. They were harvested in autumn 2002, Class 1. Best before date > was 30 september 2003. They were not shelled. I cracked them just before I > ate them. I really liked their taste but I guess I ate too much. That sound good quality but i forgot 2 questions have they been bleached ( a walnut not b;leached have a definite brown color instead of the very light brown as usual . non bleached Walnuts have a protecting coat left by the husk that seal the pores and keep the inside sealed . also by washing them even if only water is used ( they add chlorine ) imply having to dry them . In a commercial operation this drying is done at temperature higher than body temperature ,and so the oils start to oxydise . despite that i don't practice any of those treatments myself , walnuts are particularly sensitive to oxydation overtime ,certainly due to their high omega 3 fats ( in comparaison with other nuts ). in my experience they are not as good after spring . jean-claude>