Hello I live in Wisconsin and bought some Chestnuts imported from Italy early December from a grocery store. I noticed while I was scoring them that majority of them were green or powdery inside I assume this means they were rotting.
When I bought them from the grocery, they were sold next to other holiday nuts in a open air basket.
Is there anything I can watch out for to buy good Chestnuts?
From my experience, look for
Shiny, smooth shells: A glossy, unblemished exterior indicates freshness. see https://insearchofyummyness.com/ultimate-guide-roasting-chestnuts
Weight: They should feel heavy for their size; a light chestnut may be dried out or spoiled. see https://citymagazine.si/en/how-to-check-if-a-chestnut-is-fresh-tips-on-how-to-avoid-buying-rotten-and-moldy-chestnuts
No rattling: Shake the chestnut gently; if you hear a rattle, the nut inside has likely dried out. see https://citymagazine.si/en/how-to-check-if-a-chestnut-is-fresh-tips-on-how-to-avoid-buying-rotten-and-moldy-chestnuts
No cracks or mold: Avoid chestnuts with visible mold, cracks, or soft spots. see https://www.thecitycook.com/articles/2013-11-07-chestnuts-101
