Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are sweet, and incredibly nutritious edible kernels from the "birch" or betulaceae family of trees. The afilberta (c. Maxima) is similar in kind, and related to the common hazel but only differing in having the nut more fully enclosed by its tubular involucre. In britain, these nuts are in general enjoyed as "cobnuts.".

The hazel is a small deciduous tree, originated in southern europe and turkey. It is now being cultivated in many regions of the world, including usa as an important commercial crop.

Hazel tree begins producing fruits about three years after plantation. During each spring season, the tree bears attractive inflorescence (catkins) consisting of the cluster of monoecious (single sex) flowers arranged closely along its central stem which ultimately develop into fruits by autumn.

The hazel fruit is produced in clusters. Each nut is held inside the short leafy involucre or "capsule" enclosing about three-quarters of the kernel. Each yellow-brown color kernel is roughly spherical to oval in shape,aabout 1.5-2 cm long and 1.2 -2 cm broad, featuring a light scar at its base. They fall out of the leafy involucre or capsule when ripe, about 7-8 months after pollination.

Hazelnut oil, extracted from the nuts, has been used in as base or carrier oil in medicine, and in aromatherapy.

Hazelnuts are very high in energy and loaded with numerous health-benefiting nutrients that are essential for optimum health. 100 g nuts carry 628 calories. They are rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic as well as essential fatty acid, linoleic acid that helps lower ldl or bad cholesterol and increase hdl or good cholesterol. Research studies suggest that mediterranean diet that is plentiful in monounsaturated fatty acids help to prevent coronary artery disease, and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.

These nuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals. Altogether, they help protect from diseases and cancers.

Hazels are exceptionally rich in folate, which is a unique feature for the nuts. 100 g fresh nuts carry 113 ag; that is, about 28% recommended daily intake of this vitamin. Folate is an important b-complex vitamin that helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, and most importantly, neural tube defects in the newborn. Good news for the expectant mothers!.

Hazel nuts are an excellent source of vitamin e; contain about 15 g per 100 g (providing 100% of rda). Vitamin e is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen-free radicals.

The nuts, like in almonds are free from gluten, and therefore,asafe alternative food sources that can be employed in the preparation of gluten-free food formulas for gluten-sensitive, wheat allergic, and celiac disease patients.

Besides being rich in folates, they are packed with many other important b-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine (vitamin b-6).

They are rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Copper and manganese are essential co-factors for anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron helps prevent microcytic-anemia. Magnesium and phosphorus are important components of bone metabolism. Hazelnut oilahas nutty aroma and has excellent astringent properties. It helps to keep skin well protected from dryness. The oil has also been used in cooking, and as acarrier or base oila in traditional medicines in massage therapy, aromatherapy, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

The parted kernels made into an , or the milk drawn from them, with honey water, relieves an old cough. The dried husks and red skin of the kernels to the weight of two drachm , taken in red wine, restrain profuse menstruation.

Nuts do not cause shortness of breath. For how can that which strengthens the lungs cause shortness of breath? if any thing of the hazelnut be stopping, it is the husks and shells, and nobody is so mad as to eat them, unless medicinally; and the red skin which covers the kernel, you may easily pull off.