Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts, the edible seeds of the hazel, have been a feature of the human diet since prehistory. They are thought to have originated in Asia, from where they spread to Europe, making them one of the oldest crops in the region. Turkey, the largest producer, accounts for approximately 70% of world production.
Origin
Turkey, Azerbeidzjan, Georgia
Grades
Wholes, broken, blanched, flour, paste
Packaging
Vacuum boxes, bags, big bags, pails, drums
Tree
The hazelnut tree is slow-growing, reaching heights of 4-6 m, and long-lived. Although hazels can survive in various climatic conditions, their favorite climate is characterized by a mild summer and cool winter, with a balanced rainfall pattern throughout the year higher than 700 mm.
Season
The hazel has both male and female flowers on each shrub, being the two flowers very different. In the Northern Hemisphere, male flower induction occurs in mid-May, more than one month before female flower induction. The floral organs grow slowly until flowering, which takes place throughout the winter. Once pollinated by wind, the female flowers develop into oval fruits, which hang in groups of one to four. They mature into a nut with a woody shell surrounded by a cup of leafy bracts. Hazelnuts ripen in the autumn.
Usage
Used as snack
- Raw hazelnuts
Used in bakery and confectionery
- Ice Cream
- Baked Goods
- Chocolate bars and spreads
Other uses
- Oil industry
- Cosmetic
- Beverages