Methods to Make Money

Method 28: How to Collect & Sell Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, Hazelnuts, and More!

How to Collect & Sell Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, Hazelnuts, and More!

Nuts: we love them in thousands of different foods, yet many of us truly do not realize just how expensive these nuts really are! Small bags of shelled nuts can go for upwards of $7; and that is per POUND. In shell nuts will cost over $3 per lb, making it a perfect business opportunity for the kid with a little too much time on their hands. This is a super easy job; it just requires that each kid learn about the different nuts and trees, then takes the time to find the trees and collect the nuts. Selling them will be a bit easier, especially since most nuts are falling when they are in season during the fall.

walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and pecans are all amazing nuts and seeds that you can forage for and sell. The high prices that they go for in stores is insane; break the price, and harvest them locally!
walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and pecans are all amazing nuts and seeds that you can forage for and sell. The high prices that they go for in stores is insane; break the price, and harvest them locally!

How Do I Sell the Nuts I Collect?

almonds-768699_1280Once you collect your different nuts, whether it’s almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts or pecans, you can sell them to varying customers. Many holistic, organic, or natural/clean eating families would love to purchase wild, locally sourced nuts and seeds. You can sell them by the lb or by the bag; you could even sell them in the shell, or shelled for convenience. Buying a simple nut cracking device would help you immensely. If ever in doubt, find lists of places to sell your nuts, just like you would any other item such as old clothes or toys.

Why Would Anyone Buy These Nuts?

delicious, healthy, fruit grain & nut breakfast! Muesli is an awesome use for walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and pecans!
delicious, healthy, fruit grain & nut breakfast! Muesli is an awesome use for walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and pecans!

Almost everyone would prefer fresh, locally sourced, organic nuts over the processed, overpriced nuts that are loaded with additives in grocery stores. However, no one has the time to forage for the amount of nuts that they need. Since you would have already done all of your research, located any nut producing trees in the area, and are able to quickly harvest and prepare these nuts and seeds for consumption, you would be providing a valuable service. Kids could even bake their own pies, cookies, and other novelty desserts with these nuts as well. Who wouldn’t want to boast about the fresh, hand picked pecans they used to make their own famous, homemade pie?

Pecan_and_Maple_Danish

How Do I Know Which Nuts and Trees are Which?

Look at this walnut and grape salad!
Look at this walnut and grape salad!

You will need to do your own research involving each tree with your parents in order to help determine what trees are which species. We will give a quick overview of each nut and the type of tree it comes from, but will link to wikipedia articles regarding each one. Make sure you identify each tree correctly, and each nut. As time goes on you will be a pro at this. Here is our quick overview of some nuts and seeds that you may find during your journeys.

☆ Almond Tree and Almond Nut ☆

Almonds are a very common nut that is used in multiple desserts. They might be candy coated, toasted and slivered for cheesecakes and cakes, used in parfaits and yogurts, and they are even found in the Almond Joy candy bars! The Almond is a very expensive, small nut that is high in popularity.

Out Of Shell/Prepared

what almonds look like after they have been smoked, cooked, and salted. Processed almonds.
what almonds look like after they have been smoked, cooked, and salted. Processed almonds.

In Shell

almonds in their shells. This is what an almond would look like after falling off of a tree.
almonds in their shells. This is what an almond would look like after falling off of a tree.

Almond Tree

identifying an almond tree in order to harvest almonds can be pretty easy. IT is a short, bushy tree with beautiful delicate flowers; be sure that you have done your own research rather than relying on our information.
identifying an almond tree in order to harvest almonds can be pretty easy. IT is a short, bushy tree with beautiful delicate flowers; be sure that you have done your own research rather than relying on our information.
Almond flower in full bloom; this is what makes an almond nut!
Almond flower in full bloom; this is what makes an almond nut!

☆ Pecan Tree & Pecans ☆

Pecans are excessively common in the Southeastern United States, where they are the star in several popular dishes. One of these is the Pecan Pie; something people across the world have grown to love and cherish as a family dessert. There is also the famous Praline, which is a candied pecan (almonds can also be used in this dish, but pecans are much more tender and are most commonly used). Like walnuts, they make their appearances in brownies, too!

Processed/Shelled Pecans

This is what pecans look like once they are removed from their shells. They are ready to be rinsed, toasted or cooked, and prepared into some delicious dishes!
This is what pecans look like once they are removed from their shells. They are ready to be rinsed, toasted or cooked, and prepared into some delicious dishes!

In Shell Pecans

pecans still inside of the shell, needing to be processed. This is what you will be looking for when harvesting pecans from the ground.
pecans still inside of the shell, needing to be processed. This is what you will be looking for when harvesting pecans from the ground.

Pecan Tree

A beautiful mature pecan tree during the spring and summer months.
A beautiful mature pecan tree during the spring and summer months.

☆ The Walnut and Walnut Tree ☆

Walnuts are a very popular nut for two reasons: they are insanely delicious in many sweet dishes and even savory dishes, while the hulls are very useful as dyes! The dark stain can be used for wood staining and cloth dying; very handy if you ask me! The delicious meals made with walnuts are endless; they can be used in savory shrimp and walnut dishes, brownies, cookies, other baked goods, breakfast cereals, salads, and more. It pairs exceptionally well with sweets. Some other good examples would be a sweet cranberry and walnut salad, or a honey walnut roast.

Walnut Shelled and Ready to Eat

Walnuts are some pretty interesting nuts once they are shelled are prepared to eat!
Walnuts are some pretty interesting nuts once they are shelled are prepared to eat!

Walnut Off of a Tree

Walnuts have large, thick shells, protecting the delicious meaty nut inside.

Walnut Tree

The walnut tree is a very stocky, unique tree. The trunk commonly twists and turns while the tree top fans out majestically, usually creating showstopping landscapes on farmlands. Check out this beautiful walnut tree!

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are another delicious, protein packed nut that is mostly used in desserts and sauces. The most notable example would be Nutella; that delicious, creamy, chocolate hazelnut spread that has taken the world by storm! It is also common as a coffee creamer, ice cream flavor, and is even in cakes and pies. You really can’t go wrong with hazelnut, which is why it is SO popular in American cooking.

Hazelnut

Hazelnuts

Hazelnut Tree