When Jonathan Anderson presented his debut Dior womenswear collection in Paris last month, the invitation itself sparked curiosity: a porcelain plate, carefully boxed and adorned with chestnuts. Far from the typical gilt-edged Parisian stationery, this choice carried deeper meaning. The chestnut—nutrient-rich, resilient, and quietly elegant—holds symbolic weight across cultures. For the Celts, it represents wisdom; for Italians and Japanese, fortune; and for Koreans, fertility. Whatever you call it, this nut serves as a universal talisman. Perhaps for Anderson, it was a statement: something ancient, sturdy, and full of promise.
Instagram content
Yet in daily life, chestnuts rarely receive the appreciation they deserve. Their color is often dismissed as just another dull brown. They’re the nuts your grandmother set out in a bowl that nobody touched, or a fleeting mention in a Christmas carol. But recently, this unassuming nut is enjoying a revival. Chefs, bartenders, and even spas are finding new ways to celebrate it.
“I built a frozen Italian foods brand, worked in hospitality, and somehow found my way back to the world of trees,” shared Sasha Sherman, founder of The Great Chestnut Experiment—a venture that blends farming, reforestation, and cultural revival. Their chestnut gift boxes are stylish and tactile, complete with roasting instructions and a handy scoring tool. “I’ll never forget the first time someone taught me how to plant a chestnut seedling: You press down the roots, kiss the top of the sapling, and imagine this tree growing tall enough to sustain a family for generations.”
Photo: Gil Fuqua / Courtesy of the Great Chestnut Experiment
Romantic, isn’t it? And it’s deeply practical, too. At one time, chestnut trees dominated the eastern woodlands of North America, with billions stretching from Maine to Mississippi. They were the sequoias of the East—reaching 100 feet tall and 16 feet wide—producing harvests that fed both people and livestock. American colonists built homes from chestnut wood, baked with chestnut flour, and sometimes even paid their taxes in chestnuts. The American chestnut thrived until the early 1900s, when a fungal blight, introduced via imported ornamental trees, nearly eradicated the entire species.
It’s taken more than a century, but chestnut farming is making a comeback. “There’s been an explosion of new chestnut plantings across America,” Sherman noted. For decades, the U.S. imported more chestnuts than it grew domestically, but that trend is reversing. American chestnut acreage has doubled in the last five years and is projected to quadruple by the early 2030s. This resurgence is largely driven by small farmers, supportive nonprofits, and sustainability advocates who view chestnuts not just as a crop, but as an entire ecosystem.
“They’re amazing for farmers,” Sherman emphasized. “It’s a long-term investment, but it builds real resilience and abundance.”
And resilience is an understatement. Chestnut trees stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. They support biodiversity and provide shade. Plus, they’re delicious. As acclaimed Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill put it, “A fresh chestnut stands out for its creaminess… like nothing else. The flavor of a well-grown American chestnut is unbeatable.”
A basket filled with freshly harvested chestnuts and prickly chestnut burrs.
Photo: Paolo Graziosi / Getty Images
Inspired by Dior’s intriguing invitations and insights from experts, I wanted to learn more. Once I started paying attention, I began noticing chestnuts everywhere. At the iconic Writers Bar in Raffles Hotel Singapore, the “Spinoza’s Toast” cocktail balances the warmth and depth of chestnut with sherry and sencha. Chestnuts naturally complement hearty, comforting pastas—whether in farfalle with aged Gruyère at Brooklyn’s Michelin-starred Francie, or in Rich Table’s agnolotti with black truffle and brown butter in San Francisco. Even trendy Soho spot Maison Close offers a veal Wellington that swaps traditional mushroom duxelles for chestnut stuffing. And during a recent dinner at Nine in Boston, I was delighted to find a pheasant roulade filled with a flavorful, velvety chestnut mixture.A creamy blend of chestnuts and apple makes a delicious purée. Chestnuts are also appearing in spa treatments, such as at Italy’s Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti, where body scrubs use local chestnut flowers and anti-inflammatory extracts from chestnut seeds. (It’s the treatment to try if you’re visiting during the Winter Olympics.) They make great gifts, too: Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River, Massachusetts, imports hard-to-find Portuguese foods and sells heavenly apple and chestnut jam, chestnut honey, and ready-to-eat peeled chestnuts in sleeves, all available for nationwide shipping. You can even find them in candles—Apotheke’s Cardamom Chestnut candle is earthy, spicy, and perfect for colder weather.
Chestnuts owe their versatility to their unique texture. Though classified as nuts, they are actually fruits and behave more like tubers, with a starchy, slightly sweet flesh that falls somewhere between a sweet potato and a chickpea. Harvested in early fall, they’ve become a holiday staple. They roast beautifully and purée effortlessly—chestnut paste is so beloved in France that travelers often sneak jars home in their luggage.
But what truly sets chestnuts apart isn’t just their flavor or nostalgic appeal—it’s their potential. Imagine replacing acres of factory-farmed corn and soy with picturesque chestnut groves that stabilize soil, support ecosystems, and store carbon. The benefits could be enormous, making chestnuts not just a nostalgic treat but a quietly revolutionary crop. In that sense, chestnuts feel very Dior. So, if you roast some over an open fire this holiday season, with Jack Frost nipping at your nose, remember: you’re part of something bigger than a festive snack. You’re taking part in one of the most elegant comebacks in American food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and concise FAQs about the resurgence of chestnuts
General Beginner Questions
Q Why is everyone suddenly talking about chestnuts
A Chestnuts are having a major moment in luxury and wellness highlighted by highprofile events like Dior using them in their event invites and highend spas in places like the Dolomites featuring chestnutbased treatments
Q Whats so special about chestnuts Arent they just a holiday food
A While they are a festive food chestnuts are unique Theyre lower in fat and calories than other nuts glutenfree and packed with vitamins and fiber Their versatility is now being celebrated beyond the dinner table
Q How are chestnuts being used in spa treatments
A In spas especially in regions like the Dolomites where they grow abundantly chestnuts are used in scrubs wraps and oils The antioxidants and vitamins are great for nourishing and revitalizing the skin
Benefits Uses
Q What are the main health benefits of chestnuts
A They are a great source of complex carbohydrates for sustained energy high in fiber for digestive health and contain Vitamin C potassium and B vitamins
Q Besides eating them what are other ways to use chestnuts
A Beyond food chestnut flour is popular in glutenfree baking The extract and oil are also used in highquality skincare products for their moisturizing and antioxidant properties
Q Why would a luxury brand like Dior be interested in chestnuts
A Luxury brands often draw inspiration from nature heritage and rustic authenticity The chestnut symbolizes autumn warmth and timeless natural elegance which aligns perfectly with a brands seasonal narrative
Practical Tips Common Problems
Q Ive never cooked with fresh chestnuts Whats the first thing I should know
A The most important step is to score on the flat side of each nut before cooking This prevents them from exploding from steam buildup
Q Whats the easiest way to cook chestnuts at home
A Roasting is the most classic method Score them place them on a baking sheet and roast at 400F for about 2030 minutes until the shells peel back