The
hazelnut is the fruit of the
hazel tree, including all nuts of the genus
Corylus, especially those of the species
Corylus avellana. Hazelnuts are used as a snack food, in baking and desserts, breakfast cereals such as
muesli, confectionery, and also in combination with chocolate for
chocolate truffles and products such as chocolate bars,
Nutella and
Frangelico liqueur. Hazelnut oil, pressed from hazelnuts, is strongly flavored and high in
monounsaturated fat; it is used as a cooking oil and as a salad or vegetable dressing. Turkey is the world's largest producer of hazelnuts, accounting for 64% of total production in 2021. This photograph shows two whole hazelnuts alongside two
kernels, one of which is peeled.
Photograph credit: David Ifar