Q. can you buy canned chestnuts in Australia?

A. Your enquiry has been passed on to me from Chestnuts Australia as we produce frozen peeled chestnuts. Our frozen peeled chestnuts are available at all Thomas Dux the Grocers in Melbourne and Sydney. Please see our website at www.australiangourmetchestnuts.com.au. for store locations.  If you were after canned chestnuts specifically these are imported into Australia mainly from France and are available at selected deli's and gourmet food stores. I think a good place to start would be F. Mayer Imports, 18 Chalmers Cres Mascot. They import these kinds of products and would be able to advise you. I'm sorry I don't have a phone number but I'm sure you can find it at the online whitepages.  Regards, Jane Casey Australian Gourmet Chestnuts, 233 Hughes Lane, Eurobin  Vic  3737, Ph: +61 3 5756 2788, Fax: +61 3 5756 2002

Q. Hello, I would like to find out some further info regarding growing conditions...soil....cultivars....planting....irrigation....etc etc. I'm looking to plant in heavy loam...slope...southern facing...excellent water...cold winters in the hills near Perth. Any help would be appreciated.  Thank You

A. If you revisit our website, click on Growing Chestnuts, then click on Industry Information/Chestnut Production/Propagation, all these will direct you to various content pages within the Chestnut Growers Information booklet.  I am positive it will answer many of your questions.

Q. I was just referring a member of the public to your website to learn more about chestnut varieties as they were keen to find out more about easy to peel varieties.  Unfortunately this information is not available.  If you are updating your website, this information would be valuable.

A.  There are quite a few chestnut varieties being grown in Australia, some varieties are better for roasting, others boiling.  Chestnuts Australia would be interested in hearing from consumers, which chestnuts are you buying and why, and what is the best way you have found to cook them?  How are they to peel?

Q. Please, when I have cooked and peeled chestnuts for cooking, can they be stored overnight in the fridge?  Or is there an alternate method?

A. After cooking and peeling chestnuts you can store them in an airtight container overnight for sure, for use the next day.  If you would like to store them for use in a few months time, they can be frozen.  In fact fresh chestnuts can be frozen also in an air tight container for use out of season, but these would not be good for roasting, but fine for boiling or the microwave.

Q. I am a very keen consumer of chestnuts and was hoping you could assist me with a question. Are there any retail suppliers (located in Canberra, Australia) of chestnut cutters (chestnut knives), the 'Chestnutter' and/or chestnut roasters?  Alternatively, are you aware of any international suppliers of such products to the Australian market?  Thanks!  Shaz ACT.

A. Thank you for  your enquiry to Chestnuts Australia Inc.  John Kane who lives just out of Canberra at Hoskinstown sells chestnut cutting knives, I have one and it is great! His contact details are This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or phone 02 6238 2280.

I also purchased a roasting pan from Nick Angelucci at "BBQAroma"  http://members.iinet.com.au/~nickfish/chestnuts.html .

For other roasting pans in Australia try;

Scullerymade http://www.scullerymade.com.au

Essential Ingredient http://www.theessentialingredient.com.au 

And for an electric equivalent which does an excellent job go to http://robinsonschestnuts.com/roaster.php

Another good website was http://www.spitjack.com  You can get gear sent to you from the US, they also sell the "chestnutter" cutter!  The chestnut gear is under Fireplace Items.

Q. Where can I buy chestnuts here in Brisbane. Cathy.

A. Thank you for your enquiry to Chestnuts Australia Inc.  The Australian season for fresh chestnut begins early March.  Fresh product is available through the Brisbane wholesale market.  Perhaps just ask your local green grocer to get some in for you?  Depending what you want to use them for ask for the sweet easy peeling varieties -  De Coppi Marrone/April Gold for roasting and perhaps the larger chestnut named Red Spanish for boiling and microwaving.

Q. Could you please let me know if Chestnuts are available in Sydney and if so where? are these nuts available at this time of year in Australia? Mary.

A. Thank you for your enquiry to Chestnuts Australia Inc.  Unfortunately fresh chestnuts are unavailable in Australia at this time of year, our season runs from March - May.  If you are looking for either chestnut flour, stuffing, pre mix cakes, puree or Australian frozen peeled chestnuts log onto http://www.cheznuts.com.au/ and you can purchase online.

Q. I am looking for a supplier of chestnut seeds to trial here on the New England. Can you recommend a producer that would have a few Kg of seed available for sale.  Phil.

A.  Seed is available in winter as fresh chestnuts.They must be hard and cold and kept cold for 6 to 8 weeks in a crisper ala plastic bag to prevent drying(stratification). Then planted out where ever. There are some chestnuts in Armadale area but I have no details.  The resulting seedlings will grow into fine ornamental trees with nuts, but not true to type and will have to be grafted to wanted varieties, if desired.  Like all fagacea, seed must not dry out and will not keep any length of time unless held at critical moisture and temp.  Germination from long term storage can be problematic.