Since 2021, Hortense de Castries and Eric Loise have joined forces to launch the walnut brand nOk. The goal? To offer walnut-based products for delicatessens. Meet Hortense de Castries.
Have you ever heard of nOk? It’s a walnut brand produced in Wallonia, in Grand-Leez near Gembloux. “My grandparents were walnut growers in the Angers region of France. I took over their production and partnered with a walnut producer in Belgium. That’s how we launched the nOk brand,” explains Hortense de Castries, who teamed up with Eric Loise. Together, they own nearly 40 hectares of organically grown walnut trees, spread between France and Belgium.
In 2021, they launched the nOk brand and now offer a product line called “Walnuts in all their forms”, free of additives and preservatives, to showcase this local nut. “Our aim is to bring walnuts into every aisle of a delicatessen. We offer walnut kernels coated in chocolate for sweet snacks, as well as salted walnut kernels for aperitifs or salads. Not to mention walnut oil as a condiment, and fresh walnuts. We are also working on collaborations with other brands to use our walnuts in different products, such as spreads,” says Hortense de Castries, who recently took part in the Gourmet Selection trade fair in Paris, an event dedicated to fine food professionals.
A book about walnuts
In addition to walnut-based products, the nOk company also contributed to the creation of a cookbook featuring 101 walnut recipes, published by Racine. “There are so many possible recipes with walnuts. Through our products, we want to promote walnuts and their benefits. Walnuts are good for your health, providing omega-3, antioxidants, and essential vitamins,” adds Hortense de Castries.
nOk walnuts are available in several European countries: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and England.
Isabelle Anneet (AWEX)
