Are English and black walnuts the same?

No, English walnuts and black walnuts are not the same. They are both walnuts, but they are different species:

* English walnuts (also called Persian walnuts) are from the species *Juglans regia*. They are the most common type of walnut found in grocery stores. They have a mild, sweet flavor and thin shells.

* Black walnuts are from the species *Juglans nigra*. They have a much stronger, more pungent flavor and a very hard shell. They are often used for flavoring in cooking and baking.

Here's a table summarizing the differences:

| Feature | English Walnut | Black Walnut |

|---------------|----------------|---------------|

| Scientific Name | *Juglans regia* | *Juglans nigra* |

| Shell | Thin | Thick, hard |

| Flavor | Mild, sweet | Strong, pungent|

| Common Uses | Eating raw, baking, salads | Flavoring, woodworking |

So, while both are walnuts, they have distinct characteristics and uses.