Walnut Forest

Every autumn, most of the village of Arslanbob in Kyrgyzstan travels up into the Babashata Mountains’ foothills to harvest what may be the world’s largest walnut forest. They move into tents in the 385-square-kilometer forest, spending two months picking over 1,000 tons of walnuts in rented plots of land. Many do this by climbing trees without the assistance of ladders, making it a dangerous job.

Arslanbob's walnuts are famous around the world for their genetic diversity, dark kernels, and unique flavor. Harvesters can sell shelled walnuts for over $7 per kilogram, a price which triples after they are sold to consumers abroad. They are so prized that during the harvest, shops in Arslanbob are said to accept walnuts in lieu of money. This does not stop families from keeping some nuts for themselves throughout the year. They are used to make walnut milk or the walnut-and-honey sweet known as zhansak.

The forest is ancient, with the oldest trees being at least 500 years old. Various legends have sprung up about the origins and history of the forest, some contradictory. One states that Alexander the Great brought walnuts to Europe from here. Another claims that the prophet Muhammad gave seeds from heaven to a gardener who settled here, and yet another claims that the trees’ wood was once used in manufacturing Rolls-Royce cars.