Walnuts are the backbone of Asher's Nuts. They're the second ingredient by weight, and they give the blend its toasty, slightly bitter depth. They're also why one serving has about 1.1 g of plant omega-3 ALA. According to USDA data, English walnuts have about 9 g of ALA per 100 g, far more than any other common tree nut.
What do walnuts do in a chocolate nut butter?
They keep it from tasting one-note. Macadamias make the blend creamy, and walnuts give it backbone. Walnuts have a gentle bitterness and a deeper, roasted character, a lot like cocoa. That's why the two get along so well. Their bite balances the buttery richness of the macadamias and the sweetness of the raw honey. On this team, walnuts play defense. They aren't flashy, but they keep everything else honest.
Do walnuts really have more omega-3 than other nuts?
Yes. Among tree nuts, walnuts are in a league of their own for plant omega-3 ALA. Here are the USDA FoodData Central figures for ALA per 100 g:
- English walnuts: about 9.08 g
- Pecans: about 0.99 g
- Macadamias: about 0.21 g
- Almonds: about 0.003 g
That puts walnuts at roughly nine times the next nut on the list. Some seeds, like flax, are also known for ALA, but they're seeds, not nuts. With walnuts as the second ingredient, one 2-tablespoon serving of Asher's Nuts has about 1.1 g of ALA.
What is ALA, and why does it matter?
ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is the omega-3 fat found in plants, and your body can't make it on its own. That's why it has to come from food. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health names walnuts, flax seeds and canola oil as good plant sources of omega-3s. ALA isn't the same as the EPA and DHA in fish, so we won't call a chocolate spread a fish-oil replacement. But if you're going to eat a spread anyway, it's nice when one of the main ingredients brings omega-3s along. For the bigger picture, read is nut butter good for you?
Why not make a walnut-only butter?
Because on their own, walnuts turn sharp. Walnut-only butter tastes bitter and slightly astringent, and it's thinner than most people expect. Walnuts carry a lot of polyunsaturated fat, which is the same reason they're rich in ALA. That fat makes for a looser texture and a more pronounced flavor. Pair them with macadamias and you get the best of both: walnut depth with macadamia creaminess. Read more about why we use two nuts in what makes Asher's Nuts different.
How do walnuts pair with dark chocolate?
Like a good point guard and center: different jobs, same goal. Both walnuts and 70% dark chocolate carry a pleasant bitterness. Together they make the spread taste deeper and more grown-up than a sugar-first chocolate spread. Then sea salt softens that bitterness, and Ceylon cinnamon adds warmth. You end up with something that tastes like a brownie with walnuts in it, in spreadable form.
Why does walnut-based nut butter need to be stored carefully?
Polyunsaturated fats are more delicate than other fats, so cool storage helps the flavor last. That's the trade-off with an ALA-rich nut. We recommend keeping an opened jar in the fridge, where it lasts 6–12 months. It also keeps 2–3 months in the pantry, and an unopened jar lasts about a year. The jar has no stabilizers, so the natural oil can rise to the top. Stir it before serving.
Quick facts
- Position: second ingredient by weight in Dark Cocoa + Sea Salt
- About 9.08 g ALA per 100 g English walnuts, the most of any common tree nut (USDA)
- About 1.1 g plant omega-3 ALA per 2 tbsp of Asher's Nuts
- Job on the team: flavor backbone, toasty depth, balancing bitterness
- Best teammates: macadamias for creaminess, dark chocolate for depth
FAQ
Which walnuts are in Asher's Nuts?
English walnuts, the common variety you find at the grocery store. The ALA figures in this article are for English walnuts.
Will the walnuts make the spread taste bitter?
No. You'll get a toasty depth, not bitterness. The macadamias, honey, vanilla and salt round off walnut's edge.
Is one serving a meaningful source of omega-3?
One 2-tablespoon serving has about 1.1 g of plant ALA. That's a real contribution, though ALA isn't the same as the EPA and DHA in fish.
Is Asher's Nuts safe for a tree nut allergy?
No. It contains macadamias and walnuts, both tree nuts.