Hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel tree. It is a common nut-like food that is widely used for eating and food processing.
Hazelnuts are commonly grown in temperate regions, especially in Europe and Asia in the northern hemisphere.
Hazelnuts are spherical in appearance and are usually enclosed in a shell called a husk. Ripe hazelnuts have small, round kernels with a thin, hard shell that protects the edible seeds. The color of hazelnut seeds is usually light yellow to reddish brown, sometimes with purple tinges.
Hazelnuts are versatile nuts that can be eaten and eaten in many different ways. Here are some common ways to eat hazelnuts:
Eat raw: Hazelnuts can be eaten raw directly as a snack. Take the hazelnuts out of their husks, remove the thin outer shell, and eat them as they are. Eating hazelnuts raw allows you to enjoy their original taste while enjoying the nutty texture.
Sauteed Hazelnuts: Place the hazelnuts in a hot pan and sauté over light heat. This adds a hazelnut aroma and crunch, making it even more delicious.
Hazelnut spread: A popular serving, hazelnut spread is ground hazelnuts mixed with vegetable oil and some sweetener to create a smooth spread. Hazelnut spread can be spread on bread, scones, muffins, or served with fruit.
Pastry and Desserts: Hazelnuts are a common ingredient in many pastry, dessert, and cake recipes. They can be chopped, ground, or ground into hazelnut flour and added to dough or frosting for a nutty flavor and texture.
Hazelnut Chocolate: Hazelnuts are one of the main ingredients in making the famous Hazelnut Chocolate. The combination of hazelnuts and chocolate is quite popular, and together they create a rich texture and unique taste.
Hazelnut Salad: Sprinkle hazelnuts on salads for a nutty aroma and crunch. Hazelnuts can also be used to garnish and enhance the flavor of various dishes.
Stews: Hazelnuts can be added to stew or roast recipes to add a rich, nutty flavor and make the dish even more delicious.
Hazelnut Smoothie: Blend hazelnuts with milk or plant milk and add some fruit and sweetener for a delicious hazelnut smoothie.
Whether eaten on their own or used in cooking and baking, hazelnuts are a delicious and nutritious food. However, people with nut allergies or other special food restrictions should eat with caution or avoid hazelnuts and their products.
Hazelnuts are a type of nut that is packed with various nutrients and they have many health benefits. The following are the main nutritional values of hazelnuts:
1. Fat: Hazelnuts are a high-fat food, but most of them are healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid. Monounsaturated fatty acids help lower bad LDL cholesterol and protect heart health.
2. Protein: Hazelnuts are rich in protein and are a good source of plant-based protein. Protein is necessary to build and repair body tissue.
3. Dietary fiber: Hazelnuts are rich in dietary fiber, which can help promote digestive health, prevent constipation, and help control blood sugar levels.
4. Vitamin E: Hazelnuts are a good source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage.
5. Vitamin B group: Hazelnut contains vitamin B group, such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, and B6, these vitamins play an important role in the body's metabolic process.
6. Minerals: Hazelnuts are rich in several minerals, including magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. These minerals are essential for cardiovascular, nerve, and bone health.
7. Antioxidants: Hazelnuts are rich in various antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which help to reduce the level of free radicals in the body and reduce the damage to the body caused by oxidative stress.
Overall, hazelnuts are a highly nutritious and tasty food. Their fat and protein content makes them a good choice for providing energy and satiety, and they contain a variety of nutrients that are essential for maintaining good health.