About Us
Our Culinary Chestnuts
What's New
Route 9 Cooperative was formed in 2010 by the owners of five chestnut orchards in eastern Ohio, located on land once occupied by native American chestnut trees. Our member chestnut orchards cover over 100 acres and have been supplying their customers with fresh culinary chestnuts for many years. The need for a larger packing facility and unified marketing led to creation of the co-op. Prior to the co-op, Greg Miller had produced and sold chestnuts and chestnut trees under his farm, Empire Chestnut Company. The co-op now markets the chestnuts and trees grown by Empire Chestnut Company. Greg Miller serves as president of Route 9 Cooperative and remains an active chestnut farmer. See our more detailed story under history.
Over the years, we have grown several species of chestnuts and their interspecific hybrids. We found that the Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is the best in terms of its sweet flavor, ease of peeling, and adaptation to our growing conditions. We continually plant new trees and remove inferior trees. In the process, we evaluate new germplasm and constantly improve the genetic quality of the chestnuts and nursery stock that we sell.
We sell three sizes of chestnuts: small (60-75 per lb; good for snacking), medium (48-53 per lb; good for roasting) and large (34-39 per lb; good for cooking). All sizes have the same quality and flavor. They are carefully cleaned and graded to ensure more than 95% sound chestnuts at shipping time. Fresh chestnuts are available only during October and November.
When you receive your chestnuts be sure to refrigerate them right away. Otherwise, they can become moldy. Be sure to read our pages on storage and preparation of chestnuts.
Autumn is in the air! We've been getting the orchard in shape for harvest season. We expect to need chestnut pickers starting the week of September 15! Check here for updates on the crop over the next few weeks.
Folks are enjoying our naturally sweet, gluten-free chestnut flour! Thanks to Badger Baldwin Johnson for introducing us to Shagbark Seed and Mill in Athens, OH. Chestnut flour is still available for purchase through our website. #ohiogrown #sustainableagIn collaboration with Route 9 Chestnut Cooperative and Shagbark Seed and Mill, these sweet sweet Ohio-grown nuts were ground in Athens last week and went into 100% chestnut pancakes today. Soooo good, very much like buttermilk. The chestnut flour rises surprisingly well. Thanks Black Locust Livestock and Herbal for the goat milk and Solid Ground Farm for the eggs.
The 2018 harvest season has finished. Thanks very much to our wonderful pickers! Thanks for coming out despite all the rain and nasty weather. We hope to see you all back next September! Check here for updates.
From a happy customer:
"I received the package today and roasted some immediately. They are great. Thanks!
Recipe: Make a cut first, soak in sugar water for a few minutes, then, put in a baking pan, brush with oil (any type of cooking oil). 425F for 20-30 minutes"
Thanks for sharing, Xiaorong!