The Doughnut Vault

17th July 2011

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Chestnut is Back

You may have noticed that after a small hiatus, the chestnut glazed doughnut is back on at the Doughnut Vault. The chestnuts we use are of a European provenance. And lately they’ve been dragging their feet, reluctant to get on the boat for America. Understandably so. In fact, one of the Chestnuts favorite European playgrounds is the island of Corsica. This French région is a prime piece of real estate that had the French and Italians dueling for centuries. Its remoteness, steep topography, dense maquis brush and underdeveloped infrastructure make it a refuge for old world traditions, including the planting of chestnut woods.

In 1584 the Genoese governor ordered all farmers and landowners to plant four trees yearly; a chestnut, olive, fig and mulberry tree. By 1770 the Castagniccia area in North Eastern Corsica was 70% chestnut trees. The chestnut became an important part of the Corsican economy. It’s easily ground into flour (chestnut bread keeps fresh for as long as three weeks) and the trees also provide durable wood for furniture and wine casks. Gotta love doughnuts and coffee on the trunk of the car

In the late 19th century, a population boom and a lack of economic development fueled emigration to France and the colonies. Further, the high loss of Corsican lives during the First World War caused the decline and abandon of the island’s chestnut woods. Illnesses also helped eliminate many of the remaining chestnut trees.

However, work has been done to revive some of the chestnut forests and currently at the annual harvest 1,200 tons of chestnuts are gathered, “of which,” according to the Terra Corsa website, 85% is transformed into more than 300 tons of flour, sold and consumed on the island.”

After taking a look at the Corsican island, we totally understand why the little chestnuts haven’t been dying to come to Chicago. But we’re keeping them happy at the Doughnut Vault. Icing on the glaze Nice t-shirt! We’ve gotta get a Doughnut Vault one going