Hazelnuts. are also known as filberts. are a type of nut that is primarily found in Turkey, Spain, and the united states. Hazelnuts have a sweet flavor and can either be eaten raw roasted or even ground into a paste
it is a relatively small nut about the size of a large marble and round Fresh hazelnuts are crunchy but can be ground into a creamy paste they have a rich flavor that is noticeable in recipes with other bold flavors, including chocolates
Hazelnuts like other nuts are highly nutrient-dense and contain a considerable amount of protein, fats, Vitamins, and minerals
hazelnuts are rich in nutrients
Hazelnuts provide a cholesterol-free energy source they consist of healthy fats including Omega-3s fatty acids.
Hazelnuts also contain the following important nutrients :
- Vitamin E
- Thiamin
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Manganese
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Zinc
Nutrients per serving
One serving of 10 hazelnuts contains:
- Calories: 88
- Fat: 9 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
- Sodium: 0 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Protein: 2 grams
hazelnuts preparation
Fresh hazelnuts can be cracked open using a nutcracker and eaten raw with the seeds. however, to gain maximum benefits from adding hazelnuts to your diet, you can bake and cook with them. When cooked with other flavourful foods, their bold flavor still pops out, and they pair particularly well with chocolate, figs, plums bananas, and caramel
Some delicious foods you can make with hazelnuts include:
- Cookies
- Slices of bread
- Muffins
- Fruitcake
- Brownies
- Pasta
- Salads
- Soups
health benefits of hazelnuts
the healthy benefits of hazelnuts go beyond providing quick energy and plant-based protein.
Here are some of the baby ways hazelnuts benefit your health:
beneficial for Heart Health
hazelnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have a number of heart-healthy benefits, including reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
besides their omega-3 content, Hazelnuts also contain antioxidants that may protect the body from oxidative stress, which may contribute to hypertension. Furthermore, they contain high amounts of phenolic compounds, which may reduce cholesterol and increase blood flow to the heart
Reduce Cancer Risk
It is believed that manganese superoxide dismutase in hazelnuts may help reduce the risk of cancer by decreasing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer
Hazelnuts also contain vitamin E, which helps protect cells against the types of cellular damage that can lead to cancer.
Furthermore, Hazelnuts are a source of proanthocyanidins, a type of chemical compound that may help prevent or treat cancer. In test-tube and animal studies, proanthocyanidins have shown promise in preventing and treating some forms of cancer. Further studies are needed to see if the same results hold true for humans, but the initial findings are promising.
Improving sperm count
Research indicates that eating more nuts, including hazelnuts, may improve sperm quality and increase sperm count. The researchers state that this is a small study involving healthy. fertile individuals. More research is necessary to determine whether the benefits apply to the broader population.
amazing facts about hazelnuts
01) The hazelnut was one of the first foods picked in Britain, and we know that those early humans could not have made a healthier start. 21st-century research shows that eating hazelnuts and other nuts daily can reduce our risk of dying early by a fifth. Twenty grams of hazelnuts a day(around 30 hazelnuts) can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by 29 percent, respiratory disease by over half, diabetes by more than a third, cancer by 15 percent, and stroke by 7 percent.
02) One handful of hazelnuts( around 10gms o 16 nuts) provides 1.3gms of protein, 1.1 grams o fiber, and a significant amount of Vitamin E to help protect cell membranes and promote skin and eye health. The nuts are rich in good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which is found in olive oil. Finally, there are minerals. Magnesium and calcium are essential for bone structure. Potassium helps regulate the nervous system
03) This nut also contains a range of B vitamins, including folate, which is unusual for nuts. They contain B1 (thiamine) and B3 (niacin), which help release energy from food and keep the nervous system healthy B2 (Riboflavin) has a role in the health of the skin and eyes. B6 helps to form hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in the blood.
04) Around a million tons of hazelnuts are now grown each year in the world. About three-quarters of the nuts are grown in Turkey where as many as four million people depend on the crop for their livelihood. But the country’s devastating frosts in 2013 and 2014 ruined the harvest and sent prices soaring. As a result, growers in Azerbaijan and Georgia are expanding their orchards. Italy and Spain are also producers. In the US production is almost entirely based in Oregon where the annual crop is worth $70 million and which has declared the hazelnut its official State Nut.
05) The hazel tree was once regarded as a magical tree, and a hazel rod was used to ward off evil spirits in parts of England. In some parts of England, Hazelnuts were carried as charms. A forked hazel branch is still thought to be the best method of diving into the water.
06) Despite the hazel’s status as a native tree to the united kingdom, It is found in at least 16 different varieties throughout the world. The wood has traditionally been used to make wattle for walls in buildings, as well as in fencing, baskets, and the frames of coracle boats. It is not unusual for plantations to produce nuts four years after planting and continue to produce nuts for up to 80 years. The nuts are harvested in the autumn by letting them fall to the ground, then collecting them with machinery.
07) over a quarter of hazelnuts are grown in the world for Ferrero, the Italian company that produces Nutella spread and Ferrero rocher chocolates, along with a range of other international bestsellers. Ferrero produces 11 million jars of Nutella a year, containing as many as 97 nuts per jar. It has now bought one of the largest nut supply companies in a bid to take more control of the market. It all began in 1946 when confectioner Petro Ferrero, faced with wartime rationing, decided that mixing hazelnuts into chocolate might make it go further.