Hazelnuts, one of the most beloved types of nuts, are an indispensable food not only for their unique taste but also for their powerful content!

 

Hazelnuts, one of the most consumed crops in our country, are loved by almost everyone with their raw and roasted alternatives. With its unique taste and rich nutritional elements, hazelnut is the choice of many people, from taste enthusiasts to individuals who pay attention to targeted nutrition. Hazelnuts can be eaten alone, and thanks to their compatible taste, they are also frequently consumed with foods like chocolate and honey. So, what else do you know about hazelnuts?

 

1. WHAT IS HAZELNUT?

 

Hazelnuts are a type of shelled nut belonging to the birch family. Hazelnut seeds, which grow inside green leaves resembling a cup, develop a round and hard shell when ripe. Hazelnuts require a humid climate to grow, which is why they have a very wide cultivation area, especially in our country.

 

2. WHERE DO HAZELNUTS GROW?

Today, hazelnuts are grown mostly in Turkey, as well as in countries like Italy, Azerbaijan, Iran, America, Chile, and Georgia. Hazelnuts, which thrive in humid regions with abundant rainfall, are predominantly grown in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea Region. In addition to the Eastern Black Sea cities such as Rize, Ordu, Trabzon, and Artvin, hazelnuts are also cultivated in Central Black Sea cities like Bolu, Samsun, Sinop, and Tokat.

 

3. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF HAZELNUTS?

 

There are a total of 18 different standard hazelnut varieties in our country. These hazelnut varieties are listed as follows:

 

• Tombul hazelnut (The highest quality hazelnut variety)

• Çakıldak hazelnut

• Palaz hazelnut

• Mincane hazelnut

• Foşa hazelnut

• Cavcava hazelnut

• Uzunmusa hazelnut

• Kan hazelnut

• Kargalak hazelnut

• İncekara hazelnut

• Kalınkara hazelnut

• Sivri hazelnut

• Karafındık

• Yassı badem hazelnut

• Yuvarlak badem hazelnut

• Değirmendere hazelnut

• Kuş hazelnut

• Acı hazelnut

 

Other varieties, apart from the standard hazelnut types, include hybrid hazelnuts known as Allahverdi, Giresun hybrid, and Okay 28.

 

4. HOW TO CONSUME HAZELNUTS?

 

• You can consume them directly raw.

• You can also prefer them roasted. For this, you can roast raw hazelnuts yourself in the oven or buy pre-roasted hazelnut varieties.

• You can add them to recipes, desserts, and ice creams in crushed and ground forms.

• You can include them in recipes as hazelnut oil and hazelnut sauce.

• You can enjoy hazelnut butter at breakfast, as a snack, and at any time of the day, plain or spread on bread.

5. WHY SHOULD HAZELNUTS BE CONSUMED?

 

Hazelnuts are one of the types of nuts whose daily consumption is frequently recommended by experts. Indeed, this shelled nut finds its place in many areas, from normal diets to special dietary programs, due to its contributions to the body. Namely;

 

• With its B1, B6, E vitamins and calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus and manganese minerals, it contributes to the daily vitamin-mineral intake needed by the body.

• Thanks to the unsaturated fatty acids it contains, it helps maintain the ideal functioning of the cardiovascular system.

• With its oleic acid, it helps keep cholesterol levels balanced, and with linoleic acid, it contributes to maintaining the normal structure of blood vessels.

• It helps maintain the normal functions of the body's basic systems.

• As a good source of fiber, it supports the maintenance of the ideal functioning of the digestive system.

 

6. HOW MUCH HAZELNUT SHOULD BE CONSUMED?

 

A handful of hazelnuts per day is sufficient to contribute to the daily vitamin and mineral intake needed by the body. By consuming 100 grams of hazelnuts daily, 24% of the daily vitamin E requirement, 33% of the vitamin B1 requirement, and 35% of the vitamin B6 requirement can be met. However, it should not be forgotten that hazelnuts, like all other natural foods, should not be consumed in excessive amounts. Otherwise, this food, like many oily seed varieties, can cause allergic reactions or, in the long term, increase body fat.