nuts

Hard-shelled seeds of various trees, valued for their dense concentration of fats, proteins, and rich, earthy flavors. While botanical definitions vary, culinary nuts encompass everything from walnuts and pecans to almonds and cashews. Their high oil content makes them prone to rancidity but also allows them to toast beautifully, enhancing their crunch and deepening their aromatic profile via the Maillard reaction. Store in the freezer to prolong freshness.