Stockton, Missouri - Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play Edward Cole and Carter Chambers in the movie "The Bucket List." Their wish as they go into Hong Kong is for a silk suit and a black walnut ice cream. The origin of the desire for black walnut ice cream in Hong Kong is unknown. Maybe according to Chinese Herbal Medicine it's because black walnuts are thought to build physical strength. We suspect it's the natural unique taste of the black walnut packaged by nature into each nut morsel.

The black walnut tree is an American tree which grows widely in North America, particularly in America's Heartland. Seedlings have been exported world wide including China. The understanding and acceptance of the unique "truffle like" taste is being spread by chefs for their recipes and summer salads. As a natural ingredient, the black walnut nutmeat is a taste sensation with palette's worldwide.

The ice cream industry is specifically excited about the black walnut because it accents and compliments the flavor and texture of ice cream. Many consumers find this rich, indulgent ingredient is often savored first through its rich aroma.

Harvesting, processing, distribution and marketing of the black walnut is performed primarily by Hammons Products Company in Stockton, Missouri. The company is in their 62nd year of operation (Further information concerning Hammons Products Company can be found at www.black-walnuts.com) Additional marketing is implemented through the Black Walnut marketing board made up by growers, hullers, and Hammons Products Company.