Castanea sativa is a species of the flowering plant family Fagaceae, the tree and its edible seeds are referred to by several common names such as Sweet Chestnut or Marron. Originally native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, it is now widely dispersed throughout Europe and parts of Asia, such as the lower Himalayas and other temperate parts of the Indian Subcontinent. The trees are hardy, long lived and well known for their chestnuts, which are used as an ingredient in cooking.

A species of the genus Castanea, chinkapins and chestnuts, which is contained by the diverse Fagaceae family of beech and oak trees. The first description was by Phillip Miller in 1768.Castanea sativa is referred to as a Chestnut, which is distinguished as the Spanish Chestnut,Portuguese Chestnut, European chestnut.

Castanea sativa is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree attaining a height of 20–35 m with a trunk often 2 m in diameter. The oblong-lanceolate, boldly toothed leaves are 16–28 cm long and 5–9 cm broad.

Rachel Khoo (born 1980 or 1981) is an English born chef, writer and broadcaster, with her own BBC series. She lives in Paris, France.

She was born in Croydon, South London. Her father is Chinese/Malaysian and her mother is Austrian. She studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and then worked in public relations on the fashion industry.

Moving to Paris in adulthood, she undertook a three-month patisserie course at Le Cordon Bleu where she gained a pastry degree while she was working part time as an au pair, then worked in cookbook store La Cocotte and ran baking workshops.

She has written two cookery books published in French: “Barres à céreales, muesli et granola maison” (Homemade muesli bars, muesli and granola) and “Pâtes à tartiner” (Homemade spreads), published by Marabout. Her third book, written in English, The Little Paris Kitchen is also the name of her first TV series, which began airing on British TV on 19 March 2012.