We will begin taking orders for Fresh Culinary Chestnuts on October 1.
We look forward to sending you fresh, delicious chestnuts!
We are now taking orders for chinkapin seeds, chestnut seeds, and chestnut tree seedlings. Chinkapin seeds will be shipped in late September to early October. Chestnuts seeds will be shipped in November. Chestnut seedlings can be shipped from September through May in whatever month you select. DO NOT ORDER CHESTNUT SEEDS FOR EATING: THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE AND WILL NOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL NOVEMBER
Peeled kernels, chestnut flour, and pancake mix will be available later in the year.
Check here, our Facebook page, or our phone message for updates.
About Us
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.
Our Culinary Chestnuts
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.
What’s New
