Several hundred years ago the tall American Chestnut was the dominant tree in the Appalachian Mountain range. In the late 1800's Chinese Chestnut trees were brought into the United States for experimental plantings. Unfortunately the imported trees carried a fungus to which the American Chestnut trees had no resistance. The American Chestnut remains in isolated locations, but no longer stands as king of the forest. The outer shell of the chestnut is quite thin and easy to cut with a knife.
Color varies from light brown to almost black.
The nut inside is covered by a light papery skin called the pellicle. The pellicle may peel freely from the nut, or may be embedded in convolutions of the chestnut meat and be difficult to separate from the chestnut. The meaty inner portion of the nut may be smooth and hence separate easily from the pellicle. Or, the surface may be convoluted like a walnut and may be difficult to separate from the pellicle. The major impact of this form is in ease of cooking with the nut.