Hazelnut (large hazel)

Among all the nut crops known today, it is the hazelnut that occupies a special, honorable place. It has an excellent taste, a large set of useful qualities and properties. This led to such a huge popularity of the plant, as well as the desire to bring out the perfect look.

Hazelnut is a cultural form of large hazel (Lombard nut). This is not a tree, but a shrub, the height of which can be 5 meters. It depends on how the stem is formed and on the type of hazelnut.

The fruit is a nut enclosed in a woody shell and located in a cupule. The length of this plush is equal to the length of the nut, but in some cases it can be shorter or longer. The nucleus is covered with a thin shell and consists of a pair of lobes.

male flowers (with 4 stamens) in catkins, bloom 2-5 from one bud, drooping, consisting of numerous flowers, hibernate in open buds - catkins. Female flowers are laid on the tops of the shoots of the current year in the axils of the kidney scales. The female inflorescence is outwardly similar to a kidney. The flower consists of a pistil fused with a reduced perianth.

female flowers small, consist of bright red tufts of stigmas, barely visible from the top of the flower bud.The hairier the bunches of stigmas, the more female flowers are contained in the bud and, consequently, the more nuts will be formed in the inflorescences. The stigmas are designed to trap pollen and appear a little earlier than the male flowers begin to “dust”, but in some varieties the opposite is true.

You can determine how successfully a hazelnut develops by flowering. This phase begins in April, even before the leaves have blossomed.

Male flowers, when the daytime temperature reaches 12 degrees, grow about 3 centimeters per day. The drier the weather, the faster the growth of earrings. Male flowers have 4 stamens in catkins.

In rainy, but even warm weather, growth is slow. The bush is waiting for the humidity level to drop. If the rains are delayed, then flowering will occur later.

When the earring reaches 10 centimeters, it becomes loose, pollination begins. About four million grains of pollen come out of one earring. Clouds of dust carry pollen by the wind. This period lasts 4-12 days.

Female inflorescences bloom in spring. It is thanks to them that nuts are born. Fruit ripening occurs in August.

Earrings on a tree are male inflorescences. It is extremely important to save them, because they endure the winter quite difficult. In winter, it is better to bend them to the ground, cover them with snow, which will increase productivity.

Many people think that there is no difference between hazel and hazelnuts. In part, this is so, if you know which hazel to compare with:

• If we compare hazelnuts and large hazel, it is the same plant. Hazelnuts are just called the fruits of large hazel.
• Between common hazel and hazelnut quite a big difference, which is the size of the nut.Hazelnuts are larger than ordinary hazel, and several times larger. This difference depends on the variety.

In terms of nutritional properties and uses, all these nuts are similar and, as a rule, are interchangeable.

There are a lot of types of hazelnuts, each of which has its own characteristics. Most of them are bred artificially for higher yields.

Nowadays, such varieties are valued as:

• Trebizond,
• Roman,
• almond-shaped
• red-leaved,
• forest.

However, in terms of properties and positive qualities, there is no serious difference between nuts, regardless of the type.

Hazelnuts began to be actively used by man about two thousand years ago. The most developed region for growing this crop is the Mediterranean coast, as well as the Black Sea coast.

The origins of the industrial distribution of the walnut are on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. This is due to ideal natural conditions.

Not surprising, because the name of the nut comes from the Greek - pontikos, which has a clear meaning - "from the Black Sea".

In addition, there is a high risk of getting on aflatoxins. This is the name of a dangerous fungus that grows on old, stale nuts. Small doses of this fungus threaten liver problems. If the dose is large, a person is threatened with a severe allergic reaction, and death is not excluded.Studies have shown that this fungus is found just in shops and markets where they sell hazelnuts by weight.

Selection Tips:

• Explore the cores. If the smell is unpleasant, there are dark spots on the surface, then you should not take them. Buy only nuts in the shell. If this is not possible, take a packaged hazelnut.
• Be aware that there are fakes. Distinguishing fake parties is not difficult. A good manufacturer will not save on packaging. Do not take hazelnuts wrapped in transparent bags. Sunlight is destructive to them.
• Also check the date of manufacture. If you can easily erase the specified date, then you have a fake. There should be no notches at the soldering site. If the nuts are more than 6 months old, do not take them.
• Also, a clear fake is a transparent package and a one-year shelf life. Under such conditions, hazelnuts cannot be stored for a long time.

The optimal solution is to go to the forest and collect hazelnuts. Or grow it yourself.

Hazelnuts are highly nutritious. It not only has a pleasant smell and taste, but is also filled with components useful for our body.

100 grams of this product accounts for:

• 9.4 grams of carbohydrates;
• 61.2 grams of fat;
• 15 grams of proteins;
• 651 kcal.

Many people are afraid to eat hazelnuts because of their high fat content. Indeed, the percentage of valuable fats can be on the order of 70%.

However, nuts contain starch, amino acids, proteins, sugar, carbohydrates. The latter are in small numbers.This is what makes it possible to use hazelnuts even when dieting. You will not recover from a nut.

It is also worth noting the content of a large list of useful elements: Cu, Mg, Zn, Na, Fe, P, S, K, Mn, etc.

The level of iron in hazelnuts is superior to fruits, vegetables, even meat. Therefore, the use of this nut only benefits a person.

Many doctors recommend that their patients include hazelnuts in their diet due to its medicinal properties.

It can really help with a number of problems and diseases:

• Problems of the cardiovascular system;
• High blood cholesterol;
• Weak immunity;
• Prevention of oncological diseases;
• Problems of the muscular system;
• Anemia;
• Disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
• For recovery after a long illness;
• To strengthen teeth, gums;
• Varicose veins;
• To stimulate the brain;
• In order to reduce pressure;
• In case of increased level of irritability, etc.

Watch the video for growing hazelnuts.

With such an extensive list of useful qualities, hazelnuts still have certain contraindications. You should familiarize yourself with them, as well as consult with a specialist before consuming the nut.

In fact, hazelnuts are good for everyone, but only in reasonable doses.

The following diseases require limiting hazelnuts in the diet to a minimum:

• Chronic liver problems;
• Excess weight;
• Spasms of blood vessels in the brain;
• Individual intolerance to the body of hazelnuts;
• Diathesis;
• Severe form of diabetes.

The popularity of hazelnut oil is easily explained by its excellent taste, aroma, as well as a set of useful properties. These are vegetable oils containing a large amount of minerals and vitamins.Approximately 94% of the oil is polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The peculiarities of the product are that it remains very fresh for a long time, is easily digestible, and does not dry out.

There are several useful recipes based on hazelnut oil:

1. By mixing equal amounts of egg white and oil, you will get an excellent mixture against burns, as well as for healthy and strengthening hair. Just rub the mixture into your skin.
2. Fresh oil helps with epilepsy.
3. With constant use, you reduce the likelihood of diseases associated with the heart, normalize blood pressure levels.
4. Activates the brain and improves vision. Incredibly useful for athletes, as well as people of age who need a constant supply and an impressive amount of minerals, vitamins, amino acids.
5. This oil is actively used in the production of cosmetics.
6. With it, you can get rid of a rash, abscess, as well as relieve redness, eliminate skin irritations, overcome allergic reactions, and so on.
7. Serves as an excellent tool for massage, fights cellulite, eliminates the "orange peel".

Hazelnuts deservedly found wide application in cooking at all levels. Moreover, both at a simple household level and at an industrial level:

1. At home, you can use nuts for dressing salads, when preparing sauces, vegetable, meat and other dishes. Although most often it is added to the confectionery in whole or ground form.
2. At an industrial level, hazelnuts have proven themselves excellently in the manufacture of nut pastes, sweets, chocolate, cream fillings and even alcoholic liquor.
3. The most popular dishes with the addition of hazelnuts are cakes and pastries. The second line is occupied by chocolate, the third - ice cream.
4. Some bakeries use nuts to make gourmet breads.
5. And who does not know about churchkhela. Gorgeous, delicious and insanely healthy delicacy.

See below for details.

1. To prepare sweets from dried fruits with hazelnuts, take 70 gr. dried apricots and prunes, add 50 gr. light raisins. Soak everything in warm water for an hour and pass through a blender.
2. Grind 10 hazelnuts in a coffee grinder or blender.
3. Roll 7 whole hazelnuts in a mixture of dried fruits and ground hazelnuts. Sweets are ready.

After studying the composition of the product, you can evaluate the high degree of its benefits for adults and children.

There are many recipes using this nut to cope with a number of problems and diseases:

1. Sitting on a diet or recovering from a fairly long period of illness, hazelnuts are recommended to be consumed raw or toasted.
2. If you have anemia, peel the nuts and make flour out of them. Mix with raisins and eat them every day.
3. Mix nuts with honey, and you will get an excellent remedy for solving problems with the lungs and bronchi.
4. Also, hazelnuts affect the cardiovascular system, normalize the functioning of the heart muscle, and make it elastic. This is due to the high content of potassium and calcium.
5. To cleanse the liver and the whole body, include this nut in your diet.
6. It is useful to use hazelnuts for problems with the prostate gland, weak immunity and diabetes. The product does not cause harm, since the amount of carbohydrates is small.
7. It is also an excellent tool for the prevention of cancer. Due to the presence of the paclitaxel component.
8. This nut is used to enhance growth, as well as restore muscle tissue, since it contains a combination of proteins with vitamins E.
9. Recommended for young mothers. Walnut improves the process of milk production, dissolves kidney stones, fights gas formation.

There are many recipes, which are based on both the hazelnuts themselves and parts of the shrub. Some are intended for the treatment and prevention of certain diseases, others are general strengthening. One way or another, each of these recipes is valuable and very useful.

Hazelnut leaves are quite a useful product. First of all, they are good for the brain and blood. In addition, with the help of hazelnut leaves, blood vessels narrow, inflammation is eliminated, and body temperature decreases.

Tinctures and decoctions prepared from them fight prostatitis, varicose veins, ischemia, and gastrointestinal problems. You can also improve metabolism, normalize the immune system, remove toxins and bad cholesterol.

Leaf collection should be carried out in the fall after the completion of the harvest, or in May. The leaves are dried in the fresh air, but covered with a canopy.

To prepare an infusion on hazelnut leaves, take a tablespoon of leaves, pour a glass of boiling water into them and place in a thermos. Leave the container overnight, covering the dishes. In the morning, strain and consume during the day - 1-2 tbsp. before each meal for about 20 minutes.

Tincture of hazelnut leaves on vodka is done in the following way. Take three tablespoons of leaves, pour 250 milliliters of vodka and leave to infuse in a dark place, tightly closing the container. The mixture is infused for two weeks, after which it is filtered. Tincture is used twice a day for about forty drops.

Take about 100 gr.nuts, rub them in a porcelain dish with 100 ml. boiled but warm water. Add water gradually. This milk can be used for about a month. But only in the morning and 30 minutes before meals. This is an excellent recipe against all the diseases considered, which hazelnuts help to cope with.

From such a problem, hazelnut bark and leaves can also help.

Take the dried bark and leaves, pour a glass of boiling water. Place the mixture in a boiling water bath. It takes about half an hour to cook. After that, strain, cool and take about 50 ml. three or four times a day. And definitely at mealtimes.

Here you will need pluses and hazelnut shells in equal proportions. Grind them, pour a glass of boiling water and place in a water bath. Boil the remedy for 20 minutes, then strain and cool slightly.

The remedy is taken 4-5 times during the day half an hour before meals. One serving is 1 tablespoon. The course should not last more than 28 days.

Everything is simple here. Include hazelnut kernels in your diet. And together with a brown crust. Add honey to the nuts according to your taste. You can consume up to 100 gr per day. product. The course is not longer than a month. A similar recipe is suitable for problems such as anemia, rheumatism and sore joints.

You will need a tablespoon of crushed and dried hazel leaves, which you need to pour 200 ml. boiling water and put in a water bath to cook for 15 minutes. After that, strain the decoction.

It should be drunk three times a day, 100 ml.half an hour before meals. The course of treatment lasts about 20-30 days, no more.

The remedy helps with prostatic hypertrophy, facial paralysis and migraines.

You will need 10 nuts, which are filled with a small amount of water and sent to the refrigerator. When the nuts swell, grind them with the gradual addition of water. For one part of a nut, take 9 parts of purified water.

Now put the mixture on the fire, bring to a boil and keep it in a boiling state for literally two minutes. Add honey and eat the mixture in the morning before meals. Similar procedures should be carried out every day for 28 days.

Hazelnut kernels and oil is used for sexual weakness. They also help build good muscle mass.

Eat 40-50 grams per day for 4-5 doses. hazelnuts (about 2-3 nuts at a time), eating nuts with a slice of dark chocolate (no more than five per day).

You will need a tablespoon of dry crushed leaves, which are poured with a glass of boiling water and infused in a closed opaque container for a couple of hours. Then strain the product and drink 2-3 times a day for half a glass before meals - 30 minutes before meals.

The course lasts until the disease subsides.

You will need a set of dried ingredients - hazel bark (20 grams), young run thuja (20 grams), horse chestnut bark (20 grams). Turn all this into powder with a coffee grinder and place in a dark bottle. Add 500 milliliters of high-quality vodka there, close tightly and let it brew for a week and a half. Shake the bottle every day. Strain.

The remedy is taken as follows.In the first week - 20 drops plus 1 tablespoon of water. Three times a day for half an hour before meals. The following weeks - 30 drops.

The course lasts a month, then a break for 30 days and another course. There are 3 courses in total.

Take hazel leaves, bark and nuts in equal proportions, mix everything together. Pour a tablespoon of the resulting mixture with 200 milliliters of boiling water and insist for an hour. Preferably in a thermos. After that, strain and do enemas from a warm remedy before going to bed. Enema - 60 milliliters.

A tablespoon of dry ground leaves and a tablespoon of ground bark pour boiling water (200-250 ml) and place on the stove. When it starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, chill.

Drink 100 grams four times a day half an hour before meals. The course lasts a month, after which a break is made for 10 days and the course is repeated.

Add a glass of boiling water to a tablespoon of fresh leaves in crushed form. Insist in a wrapped form for about 30 minutes. Strain. Using cotton swabs, apply the infusion on the eyelids and keep for about 30 minutes.

Hazelnuts are characterized by abundant root shoots, which need to be cut every 3-4 years. It is not necessary to throw them away, since these roots serve as a blank for weaving baskets, arranging wickerwork.

Wattles are reliable and durable. Making a fence is also not difficult. The only drawback is the high cost of hazelnut material.

Growing hazelnuts - the matter is not the simplest, we devoted another article to this issue.