Portland, Ore. ? The rebirth and growth of the domestic chestnut industry, increased media attention, and the Web are contributing to a surge in consumer interest in chestnuts, industry experts say.

“People are really very educated and very interested so the market is really increasing,” says chestnut grower Sandy Bole, of Ladd Hill Orchards, Sherwood, Ore.

Her 10-year-old orchard began bearing fruit five years ago and she’s seen a big change in the past three years. Early attempts to sell to local markets were daunted by merchants who wanted only imported nuts from Europe or Asia.

This year, those same local merchants were placing orders Oct. 1, the opening of the three-month long season, and Ladd Hill now ships to 26 states, says Bole.

“I’d say it’s a booming industry,” says Sandra L. Anagnostakis, an agricultural scientist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven.

The station has conducted a breeding program since 1930 but Anagnostakis has seen a steady growth in interest during the past decade.

“I think it’s a Web phenomenon,” she says, adding that she gets daily e-mails from people inquiring about growing chestnut trees.

Domestic chestnut growers, hopeful for the future of the American chestnut industry, are working to make chestnuts more accessible and to educate chefs and food service about their use.

Ladd Hill Orchards sells peeled, dried chestnuts that can be reconstituted and used year-round.