Hazelnut plants, which produce hazelnut fruits that we enjoy eating fresh in the fall and dried throughout the year as a snack, are from the Birch family. Hazelnut plants, whose homeland is the northeastern regions of our country, were taken to Greece in ancient times and spread to Europe from there. The current production of hazelnuts, which have seventeen important species, is done by hybridizing wild hazelnut (C. avellana), almond hazelnut (C. maxima) and plump hazelnut (C. pontica).
While hazelnut plants grown in Turkey grow up to 3-5 m tall, wild hazelnut plants grown abroad can grow up to 10-20 and even 40 m tall. Hazelnut leaves are generally heart-shaped, short-stalked, alternately arranged, with serrated edges, the upper surface is various shades of green and shiny, and the lower surface is slightly hairy and matte.
The monoecious flowers of hazelnut, which begin to bloom in winter, are found in separate places on the same plant. Female flower clusters are seen from November onwards. Male flowers develop much later, in May. After the female flower is fertilized, it forms a cup. The fruit develops inside this cup and is harvested in autumn.
The hazelnut fruit consists of a hard brown outer shell and a seed called hazelnut kernel or hazelnut kernel, which is surrounded by a light brown shell. The flesh of the hazelnut kernel is yellowish or off-white and delicious. After the hazelnuts are harvested from the plant, they are laid on the ground, dried and removed from their pods. Then, their hard shells are broken in special factories and their insides are removed. When hazelnuts are fresh, they are sold with their pods or hard shells and eaten as a snack. The removed hazelnuts are roasted with or without salt and consumed as a snack. In addition, hazelnut kernels are used in the chocolate, confectionery and pastry sectors. Hazelnuts are one of the most important export products of our country.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES
The nutritional values of 100 g. raw (uncooked) hazelnuts are as follows: 181 calories: 3.6 g. protein; 5 g. carbohydrates; 0 cholesterol; 17.8 g. fat, most of which is unsaturated fats; 0.5 g. fiber; 96 mg. phosphorus; 59.7 mg. calcium; 0.9 mg. iron: 0.5 mg. sodium; 201 mg. potassium: 52 mg. magnesium; 0.13 mg. vitamin B1; 0.2 mg. vitamin B3: 0.16 mg. vitamin B6: 17.7 mcgr. folic acid; 24 mg. vitamin E and the mineral zinc.
BENEFITS TO OUR HEALTH
In addition to the important nutritional values seen above;
Hazelnuts, like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, chestnuts, etc., reduce the body's risk of developing cancer.
Hazelnuts are friends of our heart and muscles: Hazelnuts are effective in our heart and muscle health with the high levels of vitamin E they contain, and for the same reason, they also prevent cell destruction (death).
Hazelnuts help lower cholesterol levels with the high amount of unsaturated fats they contain: They help maintain body heat and transport fat-soluble vitamins to the farthest points of the body.
Hazelnuts support blood production with their high levels of B vitamins and iron minerals: Due to the same elements, they prevent the breakdown of red blood cells, provide protection against anemia and help children's nutrition.
Hazelnuts, with all the substances they contain in high amounts, eliminate physical and mental fatigue, add strength to the body, shorten the recovery period of patients and are also beneficial for pregnant women.
It plays a role in the growth of the body and the production of sexual hormones with the zinc mineral it contains. It is also claimed to have aphrodisiac (sexual power enhancing) effects.
In order to benefit from all these vital effects, experts strongly recommend that we include hazelnuts in our daily diet and consume hazelnut kernels or foods made from hazelnuts.
Attention: Since hazelnuts are rich in fat, those with high blood pressure or those suffering from arteriosclerosis should eat less..
