Our chestnuts are not as popular as in Western Europe, Japan or East Asian countries, but it is high time to correct this omission. Healing and nutritious nuts grow in the subtropical zone, therefore they are not included in the menu of our traditional cuisine. But after all, avocados and "New Year's fruit" - tangerines, and many other products that often appear on our table are also imported from southern latitudes.

We think, having learned how chestnuts are useful, our housewives will definitely start cooking them for their families. Moreover, the fruits do not require special culinary skills and are delicious simply fried or baked.

We do not grow nutritious nuts and can only be purchased in supermarkets.

Nutritional value of chestnuts

Despite the external resemblance to hazelnuts, the product bears little resemblance to its composition. Chestnuts contain:

• about 60% starch
• 15% sugar
• 6% protein
• 2% fat

The percentage may vary depending on the variety of fruit. Nevertheless, in their effect on the human body, chestnuts are more reminiscent of rice and potatoes than nuts, which are high in protein and fat.

This carbohydrate-rich product is recommended for athletes and people in need of enhanced nutrition to restore energy. After hearty chestnuts, you don't feel like eating for a long time, so they are often included in weight loss diets, with one caveat: in small quantities.

The product is also appreciated by vegetarians as an additional source of vegetable protein.

Chestnuts also contain:

• cellulose
• tannins
• vitamins A, C, K and group B
• trace elements: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, silicon, selenium, copper, zinc
• folic acid
• pectins
• glycosides

The fact that chestnuts are an important ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, recognized as one of the healthiest in the world, says a lot. With the regular use of fruits, the metabolism improves, the intestines begin to function more actively, toxins are removed more quickly and enzymes necessary for digestion are produced.

Immunity is strengthened, malfunctions of the cardiovascular system are eliminated, the blood composition is normalized and the general tone of the body rises. Italians, French and other people in southern Europe love chestnuts for a reason, because they can protect us from stress and improve our mood during the seasonal autumn depression. Despite the high content of carbohydrates and sugars, the fruits can and should be eaten by people who are struggling with excess weight, since in this case fat deposits are not formed and the load on the liver is reduced.

Historical reference

The first seedlings of the sowing (or noble) chestnut were brought from the Asian campaigns by Alexander the Great. He noticed that by eating the fruits of this tree, the warriors become more cheerful and suffer less from stomach problems caused by unusual food.

Magic nuts of youth and beauty

Chestnuts can turn back the clock and bring back the charm of youth. They promote the production of elastin and collagen, proteins involved in cell and tissue renewal.

The trace elements that make up healing nuts have a beneficial effect on the skin, hair and nails, improving their condition and appearance. And zinc and phosphorus also strengthen teeth and gums.

A cure for many diseases

In the pharmaceutical industry, horse chestnuts, familiar to us, are more often used, in the spring they decorate the streets with fragrant "candles" of inflorescences, and in the fall they throw fruits in a prickly shell, which are so well suited for handicrafts.

However, Castánea satíva nuts also have medicinal properties. They are shown when:

1. dysentery;
2. hemorrhoids;
3. cystitis;
4. painful menstruation and menopause;
5. mastopathy;
6. edema of various origins;
7. circulatory disorders and thrombosis, as they thin the blood;
8. vasospasm;
9. atherosclerosis;
10. neuralgia;
11. respiratory diseases;
12. rheumatism.

Outwardly crushed edible chestnut pulp can be used as a hemostatic, wound healing and disinfectant. Fruits also effectively help with burns, accelerating the process of tissue regeneration.

Calorie content

As you can see from this table, boiled or baked fruits will bring the greatest benefit, but fried and pickled fruits should be eaten a little (no more than 40 g at a time).

If you follow a diet, it is better to eat chestnuts in the first half of the day, then the energy with which they charge the body will have time to be completely used up. But for dinner you can only allow yourself 2-3 nuts.

Who shouldn't eat chestnuts

A carbohydrate-rich product, for all its usefulness, is a heavy food. Therefore, it is undesirable to give it to children before the age of five or six. The fragile body of babies is unlikely to be able to fully digest chestnuts, which threatens an upset stomach, flatulence and colic.

It is better to introduce healthy nuts into the children's diet in a boiled form, making a puree soup. If the product has caused discomfort in the child, it is advisable to postpone the "acquaintance" with it for a while and consult a doctor.

Breastfeeding mothers will also have to give up chestnuts so as not to cause excessive gas or an allergic reaction in the baby.


Fruits are contraindicated in the following diseases:

• diabetes mellitus
• kidney and bladder stones
• hypotension
• hepatic and renal failure
• inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract

Attention!

Healthy people need to eat chestnuts, but in moderation, so as not to gain excess weight and not to provoke the pancreas.

Raw nuts are considered the hardest to digest. They are allowed to be consumed only in ripe form, then we will improve our health and pamper ourselves with a delicious product without side effects.

How to choose chestnuts

We have found that nuts are most beneficial when they are fully ripe. But how to choose just such fruits in the store or in the market?

1. You need to buy fresh chestnuts in season - from September to February... Nuts spoil quickly, so eating them during the rest of the year is not possible. If you could not buy fresh fruits, you should pay attention to frozen or pickled ones - they, moreover, are easier to prepare, since they do not need to be cleaned.
2. The shell of the nuts should be firm, smooth, free of spots and damage, with a uniform, dark color and glossy sheen.
3. Ripe, high quality chestnuts - heavy and large, about the same size.
4. Round nuts are tastier than their more flattened "relatives".
5. The freshness of the fruit is determined by pressing on them with your finger. If the casing is soft, the shelf life has obviously been prolonged.

Attention!

A greenish layer between the kernel and the shell of the nut is an indicator of insufficient ripeness. These chestnuts are best boiled, stewed or fried, but not eaten raw.

Storage rules

Fresh chestnuts are capricious and perishable. At room temperature in a dry, preferably dark place, they can lie no more than 5 days, after which they dry out and wrinkle.


If you put the fruits in the refrigerator, with other vegetables and fruits, they will "hold out" for 2 weeks, provided that they are wrapped in a plastic bag with holes for ventilation. Otherwise, the nuts will quickly become moldy.

If you feel like eating fresh or roasted chestnuts out of season, freeze them. The product will not lose its qualities within six months.

Attention!

When frozen, fresh chestnuts should be placed in a vacuum container or wrapped in foil, but in no case use plastic wrap, otherwise they will deteriorate. This warning does not apply to fried fruit.

Another option is to store raw, unpeeled nuts in sand poured into wooden crates or barrels. The containers are placed in the cellar and kept at a temperature of 2 - 5 ° C until spring.

Instead of sand, you can use dry chestnut leaves.

Chestnuts are among those products, once you try which, you no longer want to refuse them. And why limit yourself to such a healthy delicacy?

Well, we buy and start cooking.

Useful video

A little background material about chestnuts:

Chestnut Is a plant from the genus Beech. It can be of two types: noble (aka sweet or edible) and horse (inedible). The tree grows in America, Europe, Asia. Chestnut is especially revered in France; a holiday is even celebrated in its honor. The fruits are used in cooking, they can be added to the first and second courses, they are used to prepare sauces and desserts. Nuts are eaten fried, boiled and baked. They help with a number of diseases, they are used in alternative medicine and pharmacology.

We will also tell you about what chestnuts can be eaten and how to use them to treat diseases.

Nutritional value of chestnut

Chestnuts contain the most carbohydrates. The calorie content of the product varies depending on the cooking method - the raw product contains 165 kcal, stewed or boiled - 130 kcal, while frying - 180 kcal per 100 grams.

Steamed chestnuts are considered dietary - they contain only 56 kcal, despite the fact that there are no less nutrients in them.

Chestnuts contain 2-3% fiber and 3% minerals. In addition, chestnuts are rich in vitamins A, C and B.
Chestnut seeds contain a lot of cumanic glycosides, triterpene saponin, escin, fatty oil (up to 7%), protein substances (up to 10%), starch (up to 50%) and tannins (1%).

The chestnut fruit is considered a nut, but it contains much less fat than the rest of the family. Despite this, this fruit is very satisfying and nutritious, and therefore more useful. Due to its texture, it is included in vegetarian diets.

Chestnuts have long been used for food, their benefits and harms to the body are very great. Distinguishing the noble from the wild is quite simple. In noble fruits, the capsule is covered with a dense layer of needles. Inside each box are several pointed nuts.

Noble varieties are used in cooking for the preparation of various dishes, flour. But not only fried chestnuts are popular, useful properties are observed even in raw fruits, which taste very similar to potatoes.

Each of the fruits contains many vitamins of group A, B, C, fats, sugar, starch. Chestnuts have a short shelf life. It is best to eat nuts in the fall, when they begin to ripen.

Why is edible chestnut useful:

• used in the treatment of atherosclerosis;
• strengthens blood vessels, improves blood circulation;
• effective for thrombophlebitis, ulcers, inflammation of hemorrhoids;
• eating raw fruits can cure malaria, constipation, diarrhea;
• if you roast the nuts, they can stop the bleeding.

The benefits of wild chestnut

Although wild chestnut cannot be consumed due to its toxicity, bitter taste, it also has its own beneficial properties. Horse chestnut got its name back in the 16th century, when the health properties of the nut on horses were first noticed.

A few years later, the nut began to be used for the manufacture of medicines, tinctures, decoctions. Thanks to the beneficial substances eculin, escin, chestnut fruits have been used in some areas of medicine for:

• regulation of blood clotting;
• splitting blood clots;
• removal of inflammatory processes, edema.

Horse chestnut is one of the main components for the manufacture of ointments, tablets, injections, drops used in the treatment of varicose veins, diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Almost every part of the chestnut (inflorescence, bark, nut) is used in the treatment of:

• inflammation, pulmonary edema;
• bronchitis;
• anemia;
• stopping bleeding;
• diseases of the gallbladder;
• inflammatory processes of internal organs;

Horse chestnut is one of the strongest, but at the same time controversial fruits. If you collect medicinal raw materials correctly, they can get rid of many serious health problems, no worse than expensive drugs. If this is done illiterately, the medicine may be useless or even poisonous.

It is necessary to collect the fruits, bark, leaves and inflorescences of the horse chestnut far from the city, highways and large settlements. A tree that grows in the forest, in the mountains, away from roads and industrial plants is best suited. The first step is to collect the inflorescences when the chestnut blossoms - in May.

Flowers need to be picked, laid out in direct sunlight and dried in a ventilated and warm place for a couple of days. Store in a canvas bag. The bark is also harvested in spring, when the first juices begin to collect under it. It is better to cut the bark from young branches, and then dry it thoroughly in the sun.

The bark is stored for no more than a year, then it gradually loses its useful properties. Leaves can be harvested at almost any time - from the appearance of young leaves and up to their yellowing. But the fruits are suitable only when ripe - as soon as they begin to fall to the ground. The green unripe chestnut fruit can be dangerous.

Slimming with horse chestnut

While losing weight, chestnuts will be beneficial when applied topically as it improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.

With the help of this product, women who watch their figure get rid of cellulite and edema.
Undoubtedly, the effect of using chestnut will be much more noticeable if used in combination with exercise and anti-cellulite massage.

Chestnut Slimming Recipes

• Powdered dried chestnut bark is mixed with oil and used for anti-cellulite massage. The bark in this case acts as an exfoliating and stimulating agent.
• The combination of chestnut with chamomile decoction and green tea infusion significantly enhances its effect.
• With prolonged storage, the massage mixture loses its beneficial properties and may even release toxins, so it should be prepared in small portions and stored in the refrigerator.
• Special attention should be paid to problem areas during massage - before the procedure, they need to be cleaned of skin secretions.

It is enough to do such a massage every 2 days for a month, increasing the portion of the mixture applied every week, and the result will not be long in coming. A stronger effect can be obtained by taking a bath before each procedure.

On the issue of using chestnut during pregnancy, doctors are unanimous against.

The fact is that this product has a very strong effect on the blood vessels, and any sudden change during pregnancy is unacceptable. It is not even recommended to relieve swelling with medications containing chestnut extract.

Horse chestnut medicinal use

After studying the healing properties of chestnut, it becomes clear that its use in medicine has no analogues. Each part of the plant contains a whole range of useful substances, and therefore it is widely used in official medicine and pharmaceuticals.

Therapy using horse chestnut preparations for diseases of increased capillary fragility, inflammation of the veins, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis is very effective.

The presence of biologically active substances in fruits, leaves and inflorescences allows preparations based on horse chestnut to be used in the treatment of neuralgia, since the plant has a calming, hypnotic effect on the body.

The drug promotes tissue nutrition by improving blood circulation in the vessels. A chestnut-based remedy is used in the treatment of thrombosis that occurs in the postoperative period, inflammation, and thromboembolism.

Pharmacological agents, which include this plant, are effective in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea, normalize the processes of bile secretion from the gallbladder. Chestnut-based preparations are used for angina, bronchial disease and tonsillitis.

It was experimentally revealed that the most effective drug is an alcoholic extract of seeds, which, along with this, also has the lowest toxicity. One of the main effects on the body is the escin glycoside, with a pronounced venotropic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect.

From pharmaceutical preparations for oral use, the following are distinguished:

• Aescuzana hydroalcoholic extract;
• Esflazid tablet preparation;
• Anavenol - comes in the form of drops or pills.

For external use, creams and gels containing horse chestnut extract are used: Venitan cream and Dr. Tais's gels, Essaven.

The health benefits of chestnuts are very great, so they have been used in folk medicine for many years.

Phlebeurysm

• 50 g flowers;
• 0.5 liters of vodka.

Preparation

1. Place chestnut flowers in a glass jar;
2. Pour in vodka.
3. Insist 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
4. Strain the infusion.
5. Take 30 drops 3 times a day half an hour before meals.
6. The course of treatment is 1 month.

Thrombophlebitis

• 100 g of vodka;
• 10 g chopped chestnuts.

Preparation

1. Pour vodka over the chestnut flour.
2. Remove to a dark place for 10 days.
3. Strain the infusion.
4. Drink an infusion diluted with water 30 drops per 60 ml of water before each meal.

Joint pain

• 50 g of chopped fruits;
• 0.5 liters of vodka.

Preparation

1. Mix chestnut with vodka.
2. Insist 3 weeks.
3. Consume 20 ml 3 times a day before meals.
4. Rub into sore joints.
5. The course of treatment is 1 month.

Gastritis

• 0.5 tbsp. l. chopped chestnut bark;
• 400 g of water.

Preparation

1. Place water and bark in a saucepan.
2. Instruct 8 o'clock.
3. Boil.
4. Strain.
5. Consume during the day 4 doses before meals.

Chestnut oil

• 15 g of chopped fruits;
• 150 g olive oil (vegetable).

Preparation

1. Mix butter with chestnut powder.
2. Insist for 14 days.
3. Simmer in a water bath for 3 hours.
4. Drink 3 times a day, 10 ml diluted in 100 ml of warm water.
5. Lubricate sore areas of the body.

Horse chestnut application in cosmetology

Through experiments, it has been proven that cosmetics based on chestnut extract help protect the skin from the oxidative effect of free radicals, slow down the aging process of the skin, strengthen the walls of skin capillaries, normalize microcirculation in the capillaries and vessels of the face, soothe the skin.

In addition, shampoos based on chestnut extract affect the condition of the hair follicles and dermis of the scalp, helping to strengthen hair and prevent hair loss.

Horse chestnut has UV protection and a moisturizing effect and is therefore used as a component in tanning creams. There are many anti-cellulite body wraps available as it improves blood circulation.

Some foot creams contain plant extract, which is necessary to fight varicose veins and relieve puffiness.

It is important to remember that chestnut cosmetics should be stored in tightly closed containers and in a cool place.

Chestnut has taken its rightful place in cosmetology. It is found in many creams, gels and shampoos. Horse chestnut masks and shampoos make hair strong, strong, shiny and supple.

The shampoo is light enough, rinses off quickly, promotes accelerated hair growth. Horse chestnut-based creams are also very popular. The medicine has a beneficial effect on the capillaries and blood vessels, which allows you to get rid of spider veins, hematomas and dark circles under the eyes.

The absorbing effect of chestnut is used in the fight against cellulite - it perfectly removes fluid from lymphoid tissues. Creams and masks based on horse chestnut rejuvenate and tone the skin, make it more elastic and elastic, with constant use, the face contour is tightened.

Chestnut has bactericidal properties, therefore it is effectively used in the fight against acne, and even fungal infections of the scalp. Perfectly removes dandruff and protects against hair loss.

Contraindications for chestnuts

Chestnut fruits have a wide range of medicinal properties and applications, but they have a number of contraindications.

Although chestnut nut is in demand, its use is not recommended for:

• hypertension;
• violation of the menstrual cycle;
• pregnancy;
• diabetes mellitus;
• internal bleeding.

Fruits, inflorescences, leaves, chestnut bark are not recommended to be picked near roads, in areas with poor ecology (factories, landfills), in the city center. Chestnut, like all representatives of flora, absorbs harmful substances from the environment, soil.

Eating nuts can cause serious harm to the body, because chestnut nuts are on a fine line, benefits and harms. First of all, the nut will be harmful for overweight people.

Chestnuts have a very high calorie content, so you need to carefully use their fruits to lose weight. They contain a large amount of starch, carbohydrates, so the product contributes to obesity and seriously loads the cardiovascular system.

The nut causes serious harm to the body when abused or misused. Misuse is when horse (wild) chestnut is used for cooking. Due to the high concentration of tannins, horse chestnut can cause serious poisoning.

Chestnut nut is useful for everyone, because this product is an excellent medicine and prevention of many serious diseases. Before starting treatment, it is recommended to consult a doctor, because chestnut has a number of contraindications, which must be taken into account.

Chestnut is one of the most beautiful plants on the planet. Its large flowers, delicate leaves and fruits in a prickly shell remind of something mythical. Indeed, the ancient legend says that this tree was created by Jupiter. The loving god pursued the beautiful nymph Neya for a long time, and she, unable to withstand his onslaught, committed suicide. Feeling guilty, Jupiter turned the nymph into an amazingly beautiful tree. So it began to be called Castanea (from Lat. "Casta" - virgin, "Nea" - the name of a nymph).

Oh Paris ...

Many people associate edible chestnuts with the city of lovers - Paris. Indeed, it is in France that these fruits are considered a national product. A traditional festival dedicated to sweet chestnuts is held here every year. If someone did not have a chance to visit it, frames from French films still come to mind, where vendors fry edible chestnuts in huge pans right on the street. One can only imagine what a wonderful aroma fills the Parisian streets at this time.

For many, the smell of roasted chestnuts evokes thoughts of distant childhood, recalling potatoes baked in a fire, the aroma of hazelnuts, the aroma of baked bread and something else elusive.

This delicacy is prepared quite simply. Today chestnuts can be bought both in the market and in the supermarket. In Europe, until Christmas, these fruits are sold fried on the streets.

Types of chestnut

Noble (sweet) chestnut is a fast growing, durable tree. It was brought to England from Asia Minor and southern Europe. The plant grows in America and Asia. In Russia, it can be found on the Black Sea coast. The chestnut tree has been growing for twenty years, reaching a height of thirty meters. The leaves of the plant are carved, beautiful, long - up to 25 cm. At the height of summer, earrings appear on the branches, which then turn into fruits. Unripe chestnuts are hidden in thorny shells. They ripen in autumn and fall to the ground along with the leaves. It is then that edible chestnuts are harvested. The benefits and harms of these fruits depend on the type of plant.

There is an inedible type of chestnut - horse. It is not suitable for food, but from its leaves, bark, fruits, flowers, medicines are made that help with many ailments. So, horse chestnut extract is useful for:

• Anti-inflammatory agent. Fresh leaves are used for whooping cough, and a decoction of leaves and fruits - for various inflammations of the respiratory tract.
• Vaso-strengthening. Accelerates blood flow, dilates arteries, reduces blood clotting, strengthens capillaries.
• An irreplaceable remedy for relieving leg fatigue. Helps with varicose veins.

Edible chestnut: useful properties

The fruits of the chestnut are nuts. In their composition, they contain 60% starch, 17% sugar, 3.5% fiber, 6% protein, only 2% fat, a huge amount of mineral and biologically active substances, flavonoids, tannins, oils, vitamins A, B, C. Edible chestnuts have useful substances not only in fruits, but also in leaves (carotenoids, rutin), bark, flowers (flavonoid glycosides, escin).

This plant is widely used in folk medicine. Decoctions, infusions, alcoholic tinctures are made from it. The tree has the strongest energy thanks to the generous southern sun. Medicines prepared on the basis of edible chestnut have anti-inflammatory, astringent, antitussive, hemostatic and diuretic properties.

Sweet chestnut flowers are the rarest honey plants. Caucasian bees produce a unique product from their nectar. Chestnut honey can only be tasted in the Caucasus Mountains. Its taste and medicinal qualities have made this product especially popular with visitors to local honey shops.

According to supporters of traditional medicine, the benefits of edible chestnut are tangible even if you just carry the fruits raw in your pocket. The energy of the southern plant protects against ailments and improves well-being.

Can eating chestnuts be harmful?

Do not confuse horse chestnuts and edible chestnuts, the benefits and harms in this case can go hand in hand. Only Castanea sativa is suitable for food. In our country, it grows on the Black Sea coast. Eating horse chestnut can even cause poisoning. Often, sweet chestnut is confused with an ordinary stomach, be careful, because the second product can also negatively affect health. To be sure of the benefits of the fruits, it is better to buy them in the market or in the store.

Do not overuse sweet chestnuts as a food item. Too much eaten fruit can cause an allergic reaction, discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract: bloating, nausea, diarrhea. It is categorically contraindicated to consume chestnut fruits for persons suffering from:

• Kidney disease, renal failure.
• Urolithiasis.
• Hypotension.
• Kidney dysfunction.

You should also exclude chestnuts from the diet for persons with individual intolerance to any of the components that make up the product. These fruits should not be consumed by pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Calorie content of edible chestnut

Edible chestnuts are unlikely to be suitable for fasting days or any kind of diet. Everyone knows that any nut itself is very high in calories. Chestnut is no exception to this rule. The high content of starch and protein provides a high calorie content of this product, it reaches up to 200 calories per 100 grams. Roasted nuts become even more nutritious. 100 g of fresh product contains -1.63 g of protein, 44.17 g of carbohydrates, 1.25 g of fat.

Edible chestnuts: how to cook?

How are these fruits used in cooking? So, chestnuts are prepared in a variety of ways:

• Bake.
• Cook.
• Fry.
• Add to desserts, mousses, soufflés, ice cream.
• Ground dry nuts are used in baked goods.
• Used as an appetizer for wine, beer.
• Prepared with meat, vegetables, herbs, cereals.
• Chestnuts are added to soups, pilaf, they are stuffed with poultry.
• A coffee drink is made from ground nuts, flour is made.

The most common cooking method is roasting chestnuts. How to do it right? It is necessary to cut off the tip of each fruit or cut the chestnut slightly. This is done so that it does not burst when heated. Then you need to lay the fruits in an even layer on a baking sheet and put in a hot oven. After 10-15 minutes, the edible roasted chestnuts are ready to eat. Do not overdry the product: if all the moisture evaporates, the nuts will turn out to be too tough.

You can roast the chestnuts directly over the fire in a dry skillet. The process takes half an hour.

It is better to peel chestnuts hot; after cooling, the peel becomes more rigid.

Peeled roasted nuts can be seasoned with butter before serving.

Recipes

The chefs of the most prestigious restaurants use ordinary edible chestnuts in their dishes. Recipes can be very diverse. Despite the simplicity of preparation, the dishes turn out to be very exquisite. Let's take a look at a few of them.

1. Chestnut dessert. Canned chestnuts are mixed until mashed with brandy. Add meringue pieces and whipped cream on top. Dessert is poured with hot chocolate.
2. Berishon. For cooking you will need:

• 500 gr. pork belly;
• 500 gr. cabbage;
• 300g chestnuts;
• 300 gr. Luke;
• 100 g wine sauce.

Disassemble the cooked head of cabbage into separate leaves. Wrap a little pork breast in each leaf, stew. Simmer the onion in oil. Fry the chestnuts in a dry frying pan, peel. Arrange all ingredients separately on a large plate. Serve the sauce separately in a gravy boat.

3. Roasted chestnuts and Brussels sprouts.

We will need:

• 200 gr. chestnuts;
• 400 gr. Brussels sprouts;
• 20 gr. butter;
• a few strips of bacon.

Fry the chestnuts in a dry frying pan, peel. Boil cabbage a little in salted water. Fry bacon and cabbage in butter. Add the chestnuts at the end.

• Avoid eating raw edible chestnuts.

• Before frying or baking, the fruit must be cut or pierced to avoid an “explosion”. You don't have to do this before cooking.

• Nuts should be eaten immediately after peeling. Peeled for future use, they dry out and lose their taste.

• Don't overcook the chestnuts. The product becomes too hard.

• Store chestnuts in a cool, dark place after purchase.

• If you are overweight, it is not recommended to get carried away with chestnuts, as they are too high in calories.

Chestnut is a tree that everyone has heard about, but not everyone guesses about its amazing properties and features. In this article, you will learn about the incredible benefits of this tree, discover its healing properties, learn to identify the edible chestnuts by their appearance, and be sure to want to try them.

In this article, the main place is given to edible chestnuts. But the horse chestnut, which is well known to the inhabitants of the European part of Russia, will also be mentioned.

Appearance

Sowing chestnut has several names: edible, noble, real. Family Beech, genus Chestnut.

Deciduous tree. Its height reaches 35 m, and the circumference of the trunk is 2 m. The bark is thick, brown in color with deep longitudinal cracks.

The leaves are sharp-toothed up to 30 cm long. In the summer, the leaves are yellowish-green, and in the fall they turn bright yellow. Inflorescences of light yellow or green color resemble narrow long earrings, in the lower part of which there are female branches, and in the upper part there are male branches.

Chestnut fruits are edible nuts, ripening in brown buns, protected from the outside by numerous long thorns, and inside covered with silky felt. In each plyus, 1-4 nuts of a rounded or flattened shape with a smooth, shiny dark brown surface ripen.

How to distinguish edible from inedible

There are also inedible chestnuts in nature. The most famous is horse chestnut. It belongs to the Sapindov family, the Konskokashtanov family.

The main differences between horse and edible chestnut:

The shape and size of the leaves.

• inflorescences;
• the taste of the fruits: in the horse chestnut they are bitter, in the sowing chestnut they are sweetish;
• the number of fruits in the nut.
• the outer shell of the plyus: in the horse chestnut it is bright green with small tubercles, and in the sowing chestnut it is brown, with long thorns.

The only similarity between the horse chestnut and the seed chestnut is the external similarity of the fruits: they are dark brown in color, with a smooth, shiny surface, decorated with a light spot.

Types of edible chestnuts

There are about 30 species of chestnut trees and shrubs in the world.

The most popular types of sowing chestnut, the fruits of which can be eaten, are:

• European sowing;
• Japanese, or crenate;
• Chinese softest.

Each species differs from each other in habitat, trunk height, size and shape of leaves and fruits, flowering and fruiting.

Chinese softest chestnut

Where does it grow?

Edible chestnut is a tree with a whimsical character. For a rich harvest, this fastidious culture requires a warm climate, air humidity of at least 70% and slightly acidic, moist soil.

Chestnut does not withstand well not only drought and summer heat, but also a decrease in air temperature in spring and summer. He loves light, but this does not prevent him from growing in the shade.

In Russia, these chestnuts can be found only in the Krasnodar Territory. It also grows on the territory of Armenia and Azerbaijan. But chestnuts from these areas rarely even grow to the size of a walnut.

Things are quite different in Italy, France, Spain. The fruits of European chestnuts grow to the size of a large tangerine, as the climate and soils of these countries are ideal for this wonderful tree. Also, edible chestnut is cultivated in southern Ukraine, the Balkans, East Asia and the Atlantic coast of the United States.

Collection and storage

The yield from one adult tree is from 60 to 200 kg. Fruiting begins at the age of 3-15.

By the time of full ripening, chestnut fruits contain the maximum amount of nutrients. The degree of maturity can be determined by the color of the fruit - they turn dark brown. This is the ideal time to start collecting.

The fruits are harvested before they begin to fall from the tree, by the time they are almost completely developed:

Freshly picked chestnuts are valued significantly higher than dried ones. They contain a maximum of useful substances, and they are also more pleasant to the taste. Storage of fresh fruits is permissible only at temperatures close to zero.

For long-term storage, the harvested nuts are dried in the open sun or in special dryers and placed in dry, well-ventilated rooms.

Leaves are harvested in August - September. They should be no more than 20 cm in length. Then they are laid out in loose layers and dried in shaded places. Storage takes place in cardboard containers or linen bags and always in a dry room.

How to choose and where to buy

The edible chestnut season runs from August to November. At this time, the fruits and seeds of freshly harvested chestnuts can be purchased in the markets, as well as in supermarkets. Fresh chestnuts have a short shelf life and spoil quickly. Pickled or frozen chestnuts are available throughout the year.

When choosing the fruits of edible chestnut, pay attention:

• The shape and size. Nuts should be large, of the same size;
• By weight and hardness. Quality chestnuts are heavy and firm;
• To the surface. Nuts should be glossy, dark brown in color.

When buying edible chestnuts from the market, make sure you are purchasing them. Horse chestnut seeds and fruits, which are unfit for human consumption, are also sold in the markets.

Characteristics of the edible species

• fresh fruits have a sweet, pleasant taste;
• after heat treatment, the fruits taste like potatoes;
• beginning of flowering: June, July;
• the first flowering occurs at 3-12 years of age;
• the diameter of a mature cupule in forest chestnuts is up to 6 cm, in cultivated ones - up to 10 cm.

Nutritional value and calorie content

Sowing chestnut fruits are a unique food product. They have a high energy value and are very nutritious. Due to their lower fat content compared to other nuts, chestnuts are considered healthier and less oily.

In 100 gr. fresh nuts contain:

• proteins - 1.6 grams;
• fats - 1.25 grams;
• carbohydrates - 44 grams.

Calorie content of chestnut fruits:

• fried - 182 kcal / 100 g;
• fresh - 166 kcal / 100 g;
• stewed or boiled - 131 kcal / 100 g;
• for a couple - 56 kcal / 100 g.

Chemical composition

The edible chestnut fruit contains:

• carbohydrates - up to 62%;
• proteins - up to 6%;
• fats - up to 5%;
• various trace elements: titanium, molybdenum, cobalt, barium, fluorine, aluminum, zinc, copper;
• essential mineral salts; phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium;
• fiber - from 2.5 to 3.5%;
• sugar - up to 17%;
• various vitamins - B1 and B2, C, PP, A;
• acids: lactic, citric, malic;
• tannins;
• oils;
• pectins;
• flavonoids.

The bark of the trunk and branches of the edible chestnut contains:

• glycosides;
• oils;
• tannins.

Edible chestnut leaves contain:

• glycosides;
• pectins;
• rutin;
• vitamin K;
• vitamin C;
• flavone compounds;
• tannins.

Beneficial features

Chestnut has earned human love not only because of its beauty and delicious taste of the fruit. The amazing abilities of this tree have been discovered for a long time.

Edible chestnut has a beneficial effect on human health, as it has the following medicinal properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antitussive;
• wound healing;
• pain reliever;
• antipyretic;
• astringent;
• hemostatic;
• diuretic;
• saturation of the body with proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fiber and minerals.

For more on edible chestnuts, see the next video.

Horse chestnut has more powerful medicinal properties. The spectrum of its action is the widest and is used as such means as:

• anti-inflammatory;
• decongestant;
• anticonvulsant;
• venotonic;
• hemostatic;
• astringent;
• bactericidal;
• wound healing;
• relieving;
• sedative;
• antioxidant;
• antineoplastic;
• tonic;
• diuretic;
• diaphoretic;
• antipyretic;
• antithrombotic;
• anti-sclerotic;
• immuno-strengthening.

Harm

Despite such an impressive list of useful properties of chestnut, it is necessary to say about contraindications and possible harm that can cause your health, eating chestnut fruits or using medicines based on this plant.

When eating chestnuts, the following complications may occur:

• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract due to excessive use: constipation, diarrhea, bloating.
• convulsions;
• exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, blood, liver and kidneys;
• allergic reactions.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of edible chestnut in dosage form and as a food product:

• individual intolerance;
• hypotension;
• decreased blood clotting;
• overweight;
• chronic renal failure;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding (due to the risk of allergic reactions);
• diabetes mellitus is a contraindication for eating chestnut honey.
• menstrual irregularities.

Also, harm to health can be caused by eating the fruits of horse chestnuts, when a person unknowingly takes them for edible chestnuts. In case of poisoning, nausea appears and digestion is disturbed. And also the occurrence of allergic reactions is possible with the external use of horse chestnut.

Butter

Since chestnut pulp is low in fat, it is not possible to obtain a large amount of oil from it. Chestnut oil is used in cosmetology for the production of creams and shampoos.

Chestnut oil nourishes dry hair and protects it from drying out. It is also used to care for oily skin, restoring its balance. Chestnut oil is able to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation.

Application

In cooking

The taste and health benefits of chestnut have made it very popular in the food and culinary industries. As a source of plant-based protein, vegetarians include chestnuts in their diet.

Edible chestnut fruit:

• eaten raw, boiled, stewed, smoked or fried;
• ground into flour and coffee drink;
• in grated form used for the preparation of marzipan and chocolate;
• processed into alcohol.

Chestnut is a real find for creating both modest dishes and gourmet ones. In the kitchen, it is used as:

• seasoning, filling and garnish for meat dishes;
• addition to first courses;
• seasoning for wheat and oatmeal;
• chestnut paste for making toasts and sandwiches;
• component for the preparation of confectionery and bakery products, pasta and various desserts;
• a variety of independent dishes.

How to bake chestnuts in the oven, see the following video.

Souffle

Two yolks are ground with 50 gr. sugar, add vanillin, cinnamon and 20 gr. liqueur and mixed with chestnut puree. Then two well-beaten proteins are gradually introduced into the dough and everything is mixed.

Grease the soufflé mold with oil, sprinkle with flour and spread the resulting mass. Then they are sent to the oven, heated to 200 degrees, for 20-25 minutes. The finished dish is taken out of the mold, sprinkled with powdered sugar and immediately served.

French cream soup

500 gr. peeled chestnuts are boiled over high heat for 5 minutes, then peeled and dipped in 1 liter of boiling broth. One onion is sautéed in butter and two grated carrots and one turnip (or celery) are added to it.

Put the vegetables in a saucepan, add salt and cook for another 10 minutes. until the chestnuts are done. Let the soup cool slightly and beat with a blender. Before serving, season with sour cream and garnish with dill or other herbs.

In medicine

The role of edible chestnut in medicine is invaluable.

Parts of the tree are used fresh and dried in the form of infusions, decoctions and alcoholic tinctures for the treatment of many diseases:

• inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
• whooping cough;
• varicose veins;
• diseases of the stomach and intestines;
• edema associated with kidney disease;
• epistaxis;
• wounds and cuts;
• abscesses and boils;
• wounds and cuts;
• catarrh of the bladder and dysentery;
• enlargement of the veins of the anus and rectum;
• dilated veins of the nasopharynx;
• painful periods;
• menopause.

Flowers for painful periods

Dilute 30 drops of chestnut blossom juice with two teaspoons of water and take twice a day.

Leaves for severe cough and whooping cough

A mixture of two teaspoons of crushed chestnut leaves and 250 ml. bring water to a boil and cook for 3-5 minutes. Then filter and take a sip during the day.

Separately, it must be said about chestnut bee honey: rare and incredibly useful. Its taste is specific: tart and bitter. But its healing properties are undeniable. It saturates the body with vitamins B, C and D, enzymes, various amino acids, as well as calcium, manganese, iron and copper.

Chestnut honey is used:

• as a prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, to improve appetite and stimulate bile secretion;
• with asthma, bronchitis, sore throat and other diseases of the respiratory tract;
• to strengthen the organs of the cardiovascular system, as well as to normalize blood pressure;
• with disorders of the nervous system, as it has a calming and relaxing effect;
• for various damage to the skin as an antibacterial agent.

To eliminate the bitterness in the taste of chestnut honey, it is necessary to warm it up a little over a fire. But in this case, all valuable properties will be lost. Chestnut honey does not crystallize and can be stored for up to three years.

Horse chestnut in medicine

The medicinal properties of horse chestnut have long been used in alternative medicine, and are also widely used in pharmaceuticals.

Medicines and traditional medicine based on horse chestnut help with the following diseases:

• varicose veins and varicose ulcers;
• sinusitis;
• haemorrhoids;
• arthric and rheumatic pains;
• diarrhea;
• malaria;
• uterine bleeding;
• salts and radionuclides in the body.

Fruit bath

A bath with a decoction of horse chestnut fruits is effective for the treatment of mastopathy, varicose veins, peripheral circulation disorders, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, thrombophlebitis and vasospasm.

One kilogram of fruit and 5 liters of water are brought to a boil, and then boiled over low heat for 30 minutes. The resulting broth is filtered, poured into a bath, where it cools down to 37-38 degrees. This bath is taken 10-15 minutes before bedtime. Course - 10 - 12 baths, daily or every other day.

Infusion of fruits on water

Take 2 tablespoons. chopped horse chestnut, pour boiling water. Place in a water bath for 15 minutes. Strain the broth and take 2 tablespoons. 4 times a day for the following diseases:

• cough,
• bronchitis,
• diarrhea,
• inflammation of the kidneys.

To be treated until recovery.

Oil for varicose veins, bruises

5 tbsp pour 0.5 l of chopped fruits. vegetable oil. Put in a water bath for 1 hour. Cool and drain. Rub 2-3 times a day into problem areas.

To be treated until recovery.

Alcohol tincture on flowers

Put fresh horse chestnut flowers in a bottle 1/3 of the volume, add alcohol and seal well. Insist 1 month in a dark, warm place. Shake daily. Strain. Refrigerate for storage.

Alcohol tincture of fruits

30 pcs. peel the brown peel and chop the fruit of the horse chestnut, pour in 0.5 l. vodka. Cork and put in a dark place for 1 week. Strain.

Rub into problem areas 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 1-2 months.

Inside, the tincture is taken with the addition of boiled water, 20 drops 3 times a day, 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 4-8 weeks.

The medicinal properties of this tincture:

• thins the blood
• with varicose veins,
• thrombophlebitis,
• bruises
• gkmorroe,
• hypertension,
• radiculitis
• arthrosis,
• osteochondrosis,
• sprained ligaments.

Infusion of bark on water

1/2 tsp Pour 1 tbsp of chopped horse gash bark. boiled water at room temperature. Insist 8 hours, drain. Take the infusion 3-4 times a day for 2 tablespoons. 30 minutes before meals for the following diseases:

• hemorrhoids (used both internally and externally),
• diseases of the lungs and bronchi
• diarrhea,
• back diseases (apply both internally and externally),
• runny nose
• internal bleeding
• gout,
• rheumatism.

The course of treatment is from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the disease.

Hip bath for hemorrhoid treatment

50 gr. Pour 3 liters of horse chestnut bark or branches. water and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes. Strain and pour into a tub of cool water.

Before going to bed, after a bowel movement, take a bath for 15 minutes. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

Take 1 tsp at the same time. juice or alcoholic tincture of flowers, diluted with water, 2 times a day during the entire course of treatment.

Sinusitis treatment

Peel fresh horse chestnut. The fruit should be shaped like a "pencil" sized to fit into the nostril. Lubricate the "pencil" with honey and insert into the nostril.

After 5 minutes, a burning sensation, sneezing will appear. Much mucus will be released. Take out the pencil immediately and insert it into the other nostril, leave it until mucus is released.

The procedure should be done every other day until recovery. Fresh chestnuts should be used every time.

The remedy is used for initial diseases in addition to the prescriptions of the attending physician.

Attention! A prerequisite for using chestnut as a medicine is a doctor's consultation.

In production

Chestnut wood is highly valued in construction and furniture production due to its strength, aesthetic appearance and resistance to various fungi. It is more durable than oak, therefore it is recognized as the best for making wine aging barrels.

Leaves, bark and bush act as raw materials for obtaining natural dyes and extracts for vegetable tanning of leather.

Extracted chestnut chips are used in the production of cellulose, and chestnut oil is used in the soap industry.

At home

In everyday life, chestnut trees are used as a decorative element for garden and summer cottages. Chestnuts are often grown at home.

Varieties

There are over 400 crops suitable for cultivation. The most common varieties are:

• Large-fruited. Fruit weight - 7-12 g. Grows in Azerbaijan;
• Small-fruited. Fruit weight - 4.5-6.5 g. Grows in Azerbaijan;
• Lyons, Tempest de Lilac, Neapolitan. Fruit weight - 20-60 g. Cultivated in Italy, southern France and the Iberian Peninsula.

Chestnuts with large fruits are not found in their natural environment.

About the red-colored chestnut, which is not afraid of the chestnut moth, see the next video.

Growing and care

For the cultivation of the sowing chestnut, certain climatic conditions and soil composition are required. However, there are cultivars of edible chestnut adapted for wintering, which are grown in temperate climates.

There are several ways to grow chestnuts:

• seedlings;
• seeds in spring;
• seeds in the fall.

Saplings

For the first method, you need to purchase chestnut seedlings. This can be done in flower markets, but for complete confidence in their quality, it is recommended to contact a specialized nursery.

For planting, a special soil substrate is used, consisting of forest land (50%), humus (50%), special dolomite flour and slaked lime, 0.5 kg per 50 cm3. This mass is placed in the ground, seedlings are planted to a depth of about 10 cm and abundantly watered with water at a comfortable temperature. Keep in mind that for the best fruiting, one seedling needs an area of ​​about 3 meters in diameter.

Seed in spring

For the spring method of growing, the fruits of the last harvest are used, which have been aged in temperature conditions from + 5 to 6 ° C for 5 months. Five days before planting in the ground, it is necessary to soak the fruits in warm water. Then their shell swells, and inside the process of development of the embryo begins. Then these seeds are planted in the ground without shelter.

Seed in autumn

For the autumn growing method, peeled nuts are collected and a stratification procedure is carried out. The fruits are placed in an open container and sprinkled with sand, and then removed in the cold for 10-12 days. The best temperature regime for seed stratification: from + 5 to 6 ° C.

After that, the seeds are planted in well-moistened soil to a depth of 5 or 6 cm, every 10 or 15 cm, and are covered with fallen leaves on top. In the spring, it is necessary to thin out the seedlings.

Care

When caring for a chestnut tree, produce:

• watering young trees as the soil dries up;
• single fertilization in early spring;
• loosening the soil 2 or 3 times during the season;
• mulching the soil around the trunk with fallen leaves, sawdust or peat.

See the following video for growing chestnuts at home.

• the beams of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims are made of Colchis chestnut wood;
• during the reign of Alexander the Great, the army's food reserves were provided with crops from numerous chestnut groves, which were planted specifically for these needs;
• more than 75% of the world production of chestnuts is in the PRC (69%) and Korea (7%). The share of Russia is 2%;
• the life of the sowing chestnut under optimal conditions is 500 years or more;
• spiders never weave webs in structures made from this wood. Due to this valuable property, chestnut beams were used for the construction of most medieval castles in Europe;
• cooked edible chestnuts are eaten hot and washed down with grape juice. This combination is the most perfect for gourmets;
• horse chestnut flowers are endowed with valuable properties only for the first 2 days of flowering.

The valuable properties of chestnut have been noticed for a long time. For medicinal purposes, the bark, leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits of this plant are used. Edible chestnut nuts are ground into flour, and alcohol is distilled from them. Eat edible nuts raw, roasted and boiled. It tastes a little sweet.

Chestnut fruits heal wounds, relieve pain, relieve inflammation, have bactericidal, diuretic, hemostatic, venotonic, antioxidant, astringent properties, serve for the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases, prevent the formation of blood clots, reduce the temperature in case of colds.

Why is edible chestnut useful?

The edible chestnut is rich in nutrients. It is used in folk and scientific medicine as a component of many medicines. The nut is eaten. It contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and carbohydrates. This product is very high in calories, so it should be consumed in limited quantities for obese people. Ripe fruits contain significantly more nutrients than early nuts.

A medicinal infusion is made from the chestnut fruit, used for colds.

Leaves and nuts are well dried before use. Fresh leaves are used to make a decoction to treat whooping cough. A decoction from the bark of the tree helps with diseases of the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. Also, a decoction of the bark of edible chestnut serves to heal wounds and abscesses.

Edible chestnut effectively treats dysentery and cystitis. Creams, ointments and lotions are made from different parts of the tree. The infusion of flowers and seeds is an astringent and antipyretic agent. The flowers are harvested at the beginning of the flowering tree. Juice is squeezed out of them and diluted with water at the rate of 30/1. This infusion is used to treat wounds and sore spots.

Edible chestnut preparations are used for pain during menstruation. Chestnut honey has antimicrobial effect, it is recommended to improve the functioning of the digestive system. It has a slightly bitter taste, does not crystallize. Stored up to 3 years.

Chestnut: useful and medicinal properties

All parts of this tree are used in folk medicine. The seeds of the chestnut plant are highly beneficial, which help fight various diseases. In terms of nutritional value, they resemble grain grains, so they are ground into flour.

The benefits of chestnut have been proven for mastitis and mastopathy, as well as for milk stagnation that occurs during breastfeeding.

The nut contains saponins, which have a wide range of effects on the human body. They increase vascular tone, stimulate the production of adrenal hormones, strengthen capillaries and vascular walls, relieve edema, and reduce lymph flow.

Chestnut is also rich in tannins, which denature protein cells and form a protective film with bactericidal and astringent properties. It contains vitamins A, C, K, as well as B vitamins, thiamines, coumarins, glycosides, pectins, carotene, flavonoids, mucus, organic acids, lecithin, globulin, fatty oils.

The fruit of this tree is used for stagnation of the venous system, diarrhea, malaria, increased acidity of gastric juice, with uterine bleeding, vascular spasms, neuralgia, tuberculosis and other diseases.

From the bark and leaves of chestnut, infusions and decoctions are made, which have an analgesic and antiseptic effect. Alcoholic infusions are used to treat atherosclerosis, hypertensive diseases and heart disease.

In official medicine, some forms of chestnut are found in many medicines.

The beneficial properties of horse chestnut have made this herb popular in alternative medicine. For the treatment of diseases and for cosmetic purposes, the leaves, flowers, fruits and bark of the tree are used. Flowers have valuable properties only for the first 2 days of flowering.

Contraindications for chestnut

Before you start using drugs that include chestnuts, you should consult your doctor.

It should be used with caution during pregnancy, during breastfeeding, with hypotension, liver and kidney disease, constipation, menstrual irregularities, in childhood.

In some cases, chestnut preparations can cause nausea and heartburn. If side effects occur, the drug should be discontinued.

Horse chestnut properties: are they useful?

The benefits of this plant are quite varied. It eliminates puffiness, internal and external inflammation. Removes harmful substances (toxins, salts, radionuclides). Improves the digestive tract, removes cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, lowers blood viscosity, dilates blood vessels, activates the production of antithrombin, normalizes heart function, normalizes the secretory function of the gallbladder. Prevents blood clots.

The benefits and harms of chestnut

The great benefit of this plant lies in its leaves, which contain a lot of valuable substances. Decoctions from them are used as wound healing, hemostatic and anti-burn agents. The benefits of fresh chestnuts are invaluable for varicose veins and cardiovascular diseases. The fruits and bark are used to treat the gastrointestinal tract. Chestnut broth is used externally and internally. If you need to get rid of boils and other inflammations on the skin, rub the problem areas of the body with a healing broth.

Harm from chestnuts occurs when they are excessively consumed or the stomach does not accept this unusual food for it. The effects can range from constipation to diarrhea. In some cases, allergic reactions appear.

Since chestnut increases blood clotting, preparations containing it should be taken with caution.

Horse chestnuts should not be confused with edible ones, as this can lead to serious poisoning.

Can chestnuts be eaten

You can eat the fruits of edible chestnut. The nuts of this plant have a flattened rounded shape, sometimes completely flat. Covered with a dark brown hard shell. The kernel is large, white, the pulp has a sweetish taste.

Before eating, the fruits are recommended to be boiled or fried, after chipping the shell. It tastes like a roasted or cooked nut. Edible chestnut is also consumed raw. It is often used in the confectionery industry for the manufacture of confectionery. Chopped nuts are used to make coffee drinks.

Chestnuts are stuffed with poultry dishes, added to pilaf, soups, vegetable stews and desserts.

Calorie chestnut

The chestnut fruit, like any other nut, is a fruit. Rich in carbohydrates (60%), proteins, fats, fiber, sugars and minerals, among which are copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and magnesium. Roasted chestnuts are very nutritious, contain starch, and are comparable in properties to potatoes and rice. Used with salt and sugar.

The most delicious nuts are considered to be cooked over an open fire. They are peeled and eaten hot with grape juice. This combination is recognized by gourmets as the most ideal.

Due to their high starch and protein content, chestnuts are very high in calories. There are about 180 calories in 100 grams of fresh chestnut. Proteins - 1.6 g, fats - 1.25 g, carbohydrates - 44 g.

Chestnut in cosmetology

Chestnut is rich in vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on the body. The extract of this plant is found in creams and face masks, hair shampoos, hand and foot balms, bath foams and anti-cellulite products. Chestnut neutralizes the effects of ultraviolet rays, which is why it is found in tanning products. Wood oil is used to care for aging and dry skin. Foot cream with its extract relieves puffiness and fatigue, is used to prevent varicose veins. Facial products made on the basis of chestnut relieve inflammation and redness of the skin, improve its color, cleanse, rejuvenate, and eliminate fine wrinkles. The shampoo, which contains this component, restores the structure of the hair, makes it strong and strong. Body lotions enhance microcirculation in the skin, tone up the skin, make it smooth, even and elastic, and get rid of the "orange peel". Bath foams with chestnut extract relax, care for the body and soften the skin.

Cosmetics based on this plant are stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, dark place.

Previously, chestnut fruits saved civilians and soldiers from hunger in wartime. During the reign of Alexander the Great, numerous chestnut groves were planted, thanks to which the soldiers were provided with the necessary food supply.

These trees are just as popular today. Decorative forms of chestnuts with an unusual, beautiful spreading crown are used for landscaping streets, creating recreation parks and decorating garden plots. The fruits are an unusual delicacy that complements many dishes. However, it should be remembered that only edible chestnut nuts are suitable for food. Nuts of other decorative forms of this plant are inedible.