Hazelnuts
High in healthy fats for homemade Nutella and holiday baking, your go-to gourmet nut.
What it is
Hazelnuts are small, round tree nuts that grow in clusters on hazel trees, primarily in Turkey, Italy, and the Pacific Northwest. They have a hard brown shell that's removed before sale, revealing the pale, oval-shaped nut inside.
Flavor and texture
Hazelnuts have a rich, sweet, buttery flavor with a tender yet slightly crunchy texture. When toasted, they develop deeper, more complex nutty notes.
Best uses
Enjoy them as a healthy snack, chop into salads or yogurt, blend into homemade nut butter, or use in baking for cookies, cakes, and pastries. They're also wonderful in savory dishes like roasted vegetable medleys.
Storage & freshness
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry or refrigerator.
| As purchased | 1-2 monthsalready exposed to air and light in bulk bins |
| Sealed (pantry) | 3-6 monthsif kept cool and airtight |
| Refrigerated | 1-2 yearsin airtight container |
| Frozen | 3-4 yearsin airtight freezer container |
Durations are for best quality. Safe to consume longer if no spoilage signs present.
High oil content makes hazelnuts prone to rancidity when exposed to heat, light, or air. Refrigeration significantly extends shelf life.
Cooking tip
Toast hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, to intensify their flavor and make the papery skins easier to remove by rubbing with a clean kitchen towel.
Interesting note
Hazelnuts are the main ingredient in Nutella, and a single jar contains about 50 hazelnuts.