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In the diet of a healthy person, nuts are necessarily present in various variations. Among them, hazelnut stands out favorably. High nutritional value and characteristic sweetish-tender taste make it an ideal product.

Today, more than 15 varieties of hazelnuts are known. The Italians were especially successful in breeding new varieties, inspired by the beneficial properties, taste and aroma of walnut fruits.

General characteristics

Hazelnut is the fruit of the Lombard nut or large hazel. The nut is surrounded by a plush (cup), which protects it from external influences. The core makes up to 60% of the mass of the fetus, the rest of the weight falls on the cup-shaped shell. Fruits are grown in the Mediterranean countries due to the most comfortable climatic conditions.

The plant can reach up to 10 m in length. The walnut tree is tall, with dense gray branches. It produces dense glandular-pubescent annual shoots. The leaves of the walnut tree take on a round or oval shape. The average leaf size is 12×10 cm. The average size of walnut fruit is 20×15 mm. The walnut plume is several times the length of the fruit. It is tubular, lowered down, with wide pointed teeth at the end of the base.

Product history and geography

The history of the product is varied and shrouded in mystery ^[1]. There is a version that it was hazelnuts that saved humanity from starvation, when most plants died from glaciation during the Ice Age.

Archaeologists find traces of growing walnut trees in every corner of the world ^[2]. Hazelnuts began to gain popularity during the period of antiquity. The Romans called the hazelnut “blessed tree”, considered it a symbol of prosperity, family happiness, health and inner strength. The importance of nut fruits is pointed out by Virgil, describing the hidden power and benefits of hazelnuts in one of his poems. Later, having spread to Northern Europe and Rus’, the nut became a talisman against dark forces.

Spain played an important role in the cultivation of hazelnuts. Local authorities obliged each citizen to plant and raise a hazel. So there was a long-term selection of the best varieties of hazelnuts, which were maximally adapted to the external environment.

Modern territorial centers for growing hazelnuts:

• southeast Europe;
• Mediterranean countries
• Caucasus;
• Asia Minor.

The beneficial properties of hazelnuts

Fact: in terms of calories, hazelnuts exceed bread by 3 times, and milk by 8 times.

The walnut contains 60% oil. The oil consists of glycerides and several types of acids that prevent the growth of cholesterol in the blood, protect the walls of blood vessels from damage and disease, and support the growth and development of the whole organism. ^[4].

Vitamin E, which is part of the composition, helps fight cancer and serves as a powerful prophylactic against cancer, pathologies of the heart and muscular system ^[5]. Calcium makes bones and teeth stronger, zinc stabilizes the production of sex hormones, potassium regulates the activity of the nervous and muscular systems. ^[6].

Hazelnuts are great for energizing the body due to their high calorie content. ^[7]. Considering their protein content (about 19%), hazelnuts are a great option for an afternoon snack, addition to a morning or lunch meal.

The composition of the nut includes vital elements that help to “build” the human body. It is especially important that hazelnuts be present in the diet of children and adolescents who need such “building” materials for normal growth and development. Nuts will help develop and strengthen the skeletal system, normalize blood pressure, remove toxins from the body, strengthen the protective functions of the immune system.

Therapeutic effect of the product

Walnut fruit has a beneficial effect on the state of the cardiovascular system. Potassium and calcium, which are part of it, improve the condition of blood vessels, smooth muscles of the heart, make them more elastic and healthy. ^[8].

Hazelnuts are an excellent helper for anemia and other pathologies of the circulatory system. Walnut is used for varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, trophic leg ulcers and capillary diseases.

With the help of the product, you can cope with diseases of the prostate gland and increase the protective function of the immune system. Hazelnuts prevent the processes of decay in the human body, accelerates the natural cleansing of the liver.

Remember: hazelnuts contain a huge amount of calories, so you can not eat too many fruits. Consider the daily rate of the product and contraindications to avoid health problems.

Experts point to another important property of hazelnuts. The walnut contains paclitaxel, which is an anti-cancer substance. ^[9].

Due to the content of vitamin E and protein, hazelnuts are an indispensable element of a sports diet. This combination contributes to the rapid growth and development of muscle tissue.

There is a popular belief that the nut contributes to the production of more milk in lactating women, prevents gas formation and dissolves stones in the internal ducts of the body.

Cosmetic effect of the product

Walnut oil is obtained from hazelnuts ^[10]. The product remains fresh for a long time, does not dry out and is highly valued not only in medicine and cooking, but also in the cosmetic industry. The oil is added to various body, face, hands and hair care products. It can be used alone or in combination with other herbal extracts.

Walnut oil has the greatest effect on hair. It is necessary to rub a few drops of oil into the scalp to get strong, shiny and soft hair.

Use in cooking

Hazelnuts have great culinary potential. Its use can easily turn any dish into a delight, and the product itself is combined with almost all existing food.

Hazelnut stands out among other varieties of nuts. It has a delicate taste with a barely perceptible sweet note. The texture of the kernel is quite soft, which allows cooks to choose any method of its heat treatment.

Please note: the soft texture of the walnut can be easily damaged by improper storage conditions or careless transportation. Buy hazelnuts in the shell, carefully checking the integrity of each nut. The product can be stored for no more than 6 months in the shell and no more than 3 months in the purified form.

What can be done with hazelnuts:

• fry. The maximum allowable temperature for frying is 75ºС. It is necessary to fry hazelnuts for no more than 20 minutes in order to preserve useful properties and high nutritional value;
• pickle;
• Sugar
• combine with sweet (cherry jam) or salty (mix of Provence herbs) filler / spice to make an original snack;
• grind into flour or nut paste;
• grind into peanut butter;
• make halva from walnut cake. The cake remains after the product is ground into oil, flour or paste. Hazelnut is a useful and waste-free product ^[11].

Go beyond baking and eating raw or fried kernels. Walnut is an excellent ingredient for vegetable salads, meat and fish dishes. It goes well with soft salty and hard cheeses. Follow the general KBJU and try to add more vegetables or fruits to the dish. With the help of the fiber contained in these products, the body will digest “heavy” food faster and easier.

Walnut Recipes

Culinary life hack: to clean the hazelnuts from the skin, you need to send it to the oven for 5 minutes, then roll for a few seconds in your hands. The peel will easily come off, the fruit will give a rich smell and acquire a sweet taste.

Italian Flourless Cookies

We need:

• hazelnuts – 350 g;
• brown sugar to taste;
• salt – ½ tsp;
• egg white – 4 pieces;
• vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon.

Preparation

Grind the nuts into flour using a food processor and transfer to a large bowl. Beat the egg whites, add salt and bring the mass to a state of strong foam. Gradually introduce the proteins into the nut mass. Proteins must be introduced slowly so that the mass can “grab” correctly. Add vanilla extract and sugar to the mixture to taste. Form cookies yourself or use special forms. Preheat oven to 160ºC. Prepare a baking sheet, line it with baking parchment and place the shaped cookies a few centimeters apart. Bake 30 minutes. After cooking, it is recommended to cool it for 5-10 minutes.

Hot salad of young potatoes, tuna and nuts

We need:

• boiled potatoes – 500 g;
• hazelnuts – 150-200 g;
• canned tuna in its own juice – 1 Bank;
• cherry – 6 pcs;
• spinach – 100 g;
• olive oil – 2 tablespoons;
• favorite spices to taste.

Preparation

The process of preparing each ingredient is as simple and straightforward as possible. Mix the finished products in random order, pour a little olive oil, add your favorite spices and enjoy the taste. It is recommended to serve the salad immediately before the potatoes have cooled. It is this combination of ingredients that gives a unique taste, aroma and benefits for the body.

Противопоказания

Nuts are called a “heavy” product due to their composition and calorie content. The daily dose of hazelnuts should not exceed 50 grams. What are the risks of overeating? Substances that make up hazelnuts provoke a spasm of the brain. A person feels a sharp pain in the head and tingling in the temple area. Not only the brain will suffer from exposure to excessive amounts of enzymes. Hazelnuts will cause an overstrain of the intestines and stomach. A person will experience both a feeling of hunger and a feeling of oversaturation at the same time. The stomach will “pull”, hurt and cause noticeable discomfort, nausea and vomiting are possible.

Groups of patients for whom hazelnuts are contraindicated:

• diabetics;
• obese patients;
• children under 5 years old (due to an undeveloped digestive system and inability to fully digest and assimilate the product);
• patients with allergic diathesis;
• people suffering from chronic liver disease;
• patients with individual intolerance to the product or substances included in its composition ^[12].

Important: it is forbidden to eat peeled fruits or nuts with an expired shelf life. Purified hazelnuts lose their beneficial properties and nutritional value. Fruits that have been lying in the skin for 6 months and have not been eaten also lose their properties and benefits.

Product Storage Rules

Walnut fruits must be provided:

• low temperature indicators;
• low percentage of room humidity;
• maximum protection against direct exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• protection against pungent products (regardless of origin).

Important: the storage method of peeled and unpeeled hazelnuts is significantly different. Unpeeled fruits are much easier and longer stored, unlike unprotected kernels. A natural barrier protects the fetus from environmental influences. If it is not, you need to create the most approximate conditions from improvised materials.

Store peeled kernels in a tightly closed container, keeping out air and irritants. The best material for containers is clay or glass. Plastic containers can reduce shelf life and give the product a distinctive off-flavour. The optimum storage temperature is 5-10°C. Permissible humidity – 10-15%. Shelf life (under ideal storage conditions) does not exceed 3 months.

Unpeeled fruits are much easier to store. Make sure that the integrity of the shell is not broken, put the nuts in any convenient container, place in the refrigerator and store at a temperature of about 0 ° C. At the same time, their shelf life is increased to 3 years. If the nut is stored in a protected container outside the refrigerator (for example, on the balcony and pantry), then its shelf life is reduced to 6 months.

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