Hazelnut coffee: the most popular flavored coffee among coffee lovers. Why is that?

H
azelnuts are also called filbert nuts or cob nuts. Filbert nuts are almost twice as long as round with an elongated shape. The kernels inside the filberts are protected by a fibrous shell similar to a coconut.
It takes about 7 to 8 months after pollination for the nut to fall out of the husk.
The kernel of the seed is used for food in its raw state, roasted or ground into a paste used for many purposes.
Often, farmers use hazelnuts as feed for their livestock because of the rich nutrients the nuts have. Like other nuts, the seed has a dark brown skin around it which can be cooked or discarded. This is entirely a personal choice.

There are more than 100 varieties of hazelnuts cultivated in the world.

• Turkey is the world's largest producer of hazelnuts, primarily grown along the Black Sea areas in the Ordu province and outside of Istanbul in agricultural lands.
• Ordu is a beautiful region with green mountains and hills on the Black Sea coast. Ordu is also a very popular tourist destination with gorgeous beaches, rivers, and natural forests.
• Ordu also has a long history of agricultural and fishing traditions. The rich soil, rainfall and climate provide ideal conditions for excellent hazelnut cultivation. It is no surprise that Turkey produces more than 70 per cent of all hazelnuts in the world.
• In the US, hazelnuts are cultivated in the states of Oregon and Washington. The Willamette Valley, in Oregon, is a well known hazelnut growing destination.
• The hazelnut varietals grown in the US include Barcelona, Ennis, Lewis, and Casina. Barcelona hazelnuts trace their origin back to Spain in the 19th century. Ennis produces large nuts. Lewis varietal nuts are of a medium size. Casina varietals yield small nuts.
• American hazelnut trees reach about 16 feet in height and can remain productive for 40 years or longer. By contrast, Turkish hazelnut trees are smaller.

Hazelnuts require cross-pollination to produce nuts. What does this mean?

• Hazelnut orchards must include multiple varietals to ensure cross-pollination.
• Hazelnuts pollinate by elongating their catkins (flowering stems) and allowing the wind to transport the pollento tiny red flowers on the branches.
• Hazelnut varietals are grown for specific reasons: the quality of the nut, the fruiting season, or the cross-pollination qualities. Hazelnut propagation is from root sprouts which enables orchard farmers to manage the quality of the seedlings and plan their plantings very well.
• Hazelnut harvesting is interesting. At the end of the Fall season, the trees drop their nuts and leaves. The majority of orchard owners simply wait for the nuts to drop on the ground.

Why use resources and time to do what Mother Nature does so well on her own?

• To pickup the hazelnuts off the ground, there are basically four (4) pieces of equipment that are used: the sweeper, the harvester, the nut cart and the forklift.
• The sweeper sweeps the nuts into the center of the tree rows in the orchard field.
• The harvester lifts the nuts and separates the nuts from other debris picked up at the same time such as leaves, twigs, pebbles, or other material.
• The nut card is used to hold the nuts separated by the harvester.
• Finally, the forklift has totes or sacks used to offload the nuts from the cart. Th nuts are washed, dried, and sold in the shell or cracked and sold as kernels. The nut totes are stacked and shipped to the nut dryer for processing and delivery to domestic and foreign buyers.
  

When was the last time you tasted a cup of great Hazelnut Flavored gourmet coffee?
Go ahead, enjoy a cup or two. It tastes great and it is good for your health!



Hazelnuts are delicious.

They have a sweet and exotic flavor unlike any other nuts.
Their texture and fragrance make them perfect to combine with coffee, chocolate and confections.
Hazelnut flavored coffees are among the most popular specialty coffees.

H azelnuts have been in the Northern Hemisphere since the glacial age. Indigenous people consumed hazelnuts in their regular diet.
The hazelnut became the official state nut for Oregon in 1989.

Oregon has two main types of hazelnuts: the Corylus Cornuta variety which grows wild and plays an important role in erosion control and as wildlife habitat.
The other type of hazelnut is C. avellana L which originated in Europe in the 1850's.
Settlers brought this type of nut to the Oregon territory and created a new industry for the state and many future generations.


Oregon's Willamette Valley now produces over 90 per cent of all US commercial hazelnuts harvested by over 700 farm families, many operating multi-generational hazelnut orchards. This valley has very fertile soil and mild climate, perfect for hazelnuts.

If you are in Oregon and have the time, be sure to stop and visit Oregon's oldest hazelnut orchard called Dorris Ranch.

• Dorris Ranch is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a unique living history farm that brings Oregon history to life.
• This 250-acre working filbert (hazelnut) farm was established in 1892. It was planted in 1903 near Eugene, Oregon.
• Nowadays, this is a non-profit, working ranching in production.
• Dorris Ranch has farmed filbert or hazelnut orchards, extensive oak woodlands, and a beautiful upland prairie with large patches of colorful wild flowers and even blackberries.
• In addition, the ranch has what is called a wide riparian strip. What is this? A riparian strip or zone is an important natural or man-made soil stabilization zone.
• The river bed zones create buffers between land and a river or water stream. They protect aquatic environments from polluted surface runoff, supply shelter and food to many species, and provide shade along the river beds which is extremely important for water temperature regulation.
• One other important function of riparian zones is that, because they conform to the meandering curves of a river or stream, they help dissipate stream energy. This is very beneficial because it minimizes soil erosion and reduces the possibility of flood damage.

Dorris Ranch is a perfect example of a sustainable, well managed active hazelnut orchard.

• Ideal wildlife habitat with plenty of forage for birds, livestock, and many other species.
• A visit to this ranch will give you the opportunity to see many birds! To name a few, Pileated Woodpeckers pecking away in the natural forest. Spotted Sandpipers wandering along the river edges.
• Owls hiding in the folliage. Winter raptors flying over the habitat in a beatiful display of flight agility and style.
• Swainson's Thrush birds singing along with many other songbirds early in the morning during the breeding season.
• If you enjoy bird watching, Dorris Ranch is a superb one-stop birding location you need to visit.
• But birds is not all you will see. Quite likely, you will have the opportunity to observe deer. Western gray squirrels abound and they are the first to enjoy the fruits of filberts.
• The flora in this area is amazing: from Spring to Fall, there is an explosion of color that is picture perfect! Camas, buttercups, hairy star tulips, bleeding hearts, waterleaf plants, trillium, fawn lilies, spring beauty plants, and many more in the woodlands.

Until you visit Dorris Ranch, go ahead and enjoy a cup of fresh, roast-to-order gourmet Cinnamon Hazelnut coffee or Hazelnut cream coffee!

H
azelnut flavored gourmet coffee selections include the following,

Vanilla Hazelnut:: This coffee has the pleasing flavor of hazelnuts combined with vanilla. Vanilla es a very familiar and inexpensive spice. It is used primarily for flavoring and aromatic uses. Vanilla dates back to Mesoamerican times when the ancient peoples of Mexico used it in rituals. Nowadays, vanilla is cultivated in many places around the world, including Mexico, Madagascar, and Indonesia.

An interesting fact about the vanilla plant is that the vanilla flower is an orchid that produces a fruit. This fruit is the result of the pollination of the flower which is actually quite difficult for the vanilla plant. Why? Because the plant has both female and male organs which are naturally separated to prevent self-pollination. Natural pollination is done by only one type of bee native to Mexico. In other places in the world where vanilla is cultivated, pollination is done by hand or artificially.

Hazelnut Cream: Hazelnuts are very versatile and combine very well with cream. Together, they make a rich and wonderful flavor combination that does not overpower the natural aroma and taste of coffee. Nuts in general are great sources of natural proteins and rich in fiber, phytonutrients, vitamin E, and minerals, and hazelnuts are no exception. So with your gourmet hazelnut cream flavored coffee, have a few hazelnuts and enjoy the delicious benefits of both.

Enjoy a cup of Hazelnut Flavored Gourmet Coffee!

Hazelnut: This classic flavored coffee adds the flavor and fragrance of hazelnuts to gourmet specialty coffee. Before commercial roasting and flavorists made this combination possible, people would enjoy hazelnut flavored coffee witht the bits of nuts in the cup, sometimes an uncomfortable drinking alternative. Now consumers can enjoy this wonderful flavored brew without the bits of nut in the cup and the mouth. This gourmet flavored coffee is delicious: rich 100% Arabica bean coffee and hazelnut aroma and taste.

Hawaiian Hazelnut: This gourmet flavored coffee mix has the "just right" amount of Hawaiian style hazelnut's wonderful aroma and flavor reminiscent of coconut and "paradise island." Like all flavored coffees, this is a calorie free coffee featuring the characteristic flavor and aroma of hazelnut with the flavorful, rich taste of specialty coffee. This is a cup worth tasting!

Cinnamon Hazelnut:This brew combines the lively, smooth flavors of cinnamon and hazelnut with hand picked, top grade specialty coffee. It is truly amazing to see how a fruit (coffee cherry), a nut of the hazel tree (hazelnut, also known as cob nut or filbert nut), and the bark of the cinnamon tree come together in a stupendous trio to deliver amazing flavor in one cup. The characteristic flavor and aroma of the cinnamon comes from a compound in the essential oil of the cinnamon tree bark called cinnamonaldehyde which is used for flavoring chewing gum, candy, beverages, ice cream among many other applications.

Chocolate Hazelnut: Chocolate and hazelnut are favorites among people of all ages and consumer year round. When their aroma and taste are added to coffee, the result is a fabulous flavored coffee that ranks at the top of the favorites. Chocolate is made of cocoa paste, cocoa butter and sugar. The cacao tree is a native of Central and South America, top specialty coffee growing regions. Chocolate, like coffee, has powerful antioxidants and good nutrients which create health benefits. Chocolate, coffee and hazelnuts are also known as "energy foods."

Say "Aloha!" and drink gourmet Hawaiian Hazelnut flavored coffee...

Chocolate Cinnamon Hazelnut:What happens when you bring together the flavor and aroma of the seeds of the fruits of the cacao tree with the cinnamon tree bark, the nut of the hazel tree and the cherry fruit of the coffee plant? Frankly, you end up with a flavored coffee that is second to none. This flavored coffee ranks very high in popularity among flavored coffee drinkers.

H azelnuts are also called Filberts.
The name was used in European countries (Turkey, Greece, and Italy), all countries with Christian heritage.

Fun Facts about Hazelnuts

• The Filbert bush blooms in February on St. Filbert's or St. Philibert's day, an early Christian martyr who lived in a region known for hazelnut cultivation.
• In Shakespeare's time, theater audiences ate hazelnuts like popcorn. The filbert shells would cover the floor of the Globe Theater.
Greek physician Dioscorides used hazelnuts very creatively centuries ago to cure baldness. He smeared a mix of ground hazelnuts and suet on the head to promote hair growth.
• Rogaine products, nowadays, certainly offer a modern alternative to baldness sufferers.

Hazelnuts have medical and nutritional value.

• After peanuts, hazelnuts are the number two source of folate, a B vitamin, that lessens the chance of heart attacks and also helps rebuild damaged cells.
• Hazelnuts are also high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Hazelnuts are high in argenine, an amino acid, that helps lower blood pressure.
• 80% of the fat in hazelnuts is monounsaturated fat or healthy fat. Hazelnuts are rich in fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidants, namely vitamins D, E, and K.
• Hazelnuts are rich in B-vitamins, especially vitamin B-5 and B-6.
• Minerals present in hazelnuts: manganese, selenium, and zinc. Eat with legumes, nuts and grains to obtain the greatest benefit from hazelnuts.
• Hazelnuts have high folate levels which help prevent birth defects.
• Hazelnuts have zero Cholesterol.
• The fats in hazelnuts promote healthy skin, hair, and growth.Hazelnuts may also help control blood pressure and prevent blood clotting

Hazelnut Storage Tips

• Hazelnuts are best kept cold because they are high in fat. Store them in a closed container in a refrigerator at 34 to 38° F for up to one year. If you freeze below 27° F, hazelnuts will last up to two years.
• Bring hazelnuts to room temperature in their closed container before use, and use quickly for best results.

Nuts, hazelnuts or filberts Scientific Name: Corylus spp.

Nutrient

Hazelnut Content

Calories

180 calories

Protein

4 grams

Total Fat

17 grams

Saturated Fat

1.5 grams

Monounsaturated Fat

13 grams

Polyunsaturated

Fat 2 grams

Cholesterol

0 milligrams

Carbohydrate

5 grams

Fiber

3 grams

Iron

8% RDA

Calcium

4% RDA

Niacin

2% RDA

Folate

8% RDA

Vitamin E

20% RDA

Vitamin A

0% RDA

Nuts, hazelnuts or filberts

Description

Gram Weight

100 grams

100

1 cup chopped

115

1 cup ground

75

COOKING EQUIVALENCIES

1 pound in shell

= 1.50 cup of kernels

1 pound kernels

= 3.75 cups

1 cup kernels

= 1.33 cups meal

A delicious coffee, chocolate and hazelnut homemade cocktail.

Serve it in a warm wine glass to add that extra 'touch' of presentation that makes regular moments very special. Good to drink day or night but particularly delicious as an after dinner beverage.


What you need to prepare this cocktail,

• Twelve (12) ounces freshly brewed gourmet coffee, hot


• One (1) ounce chocolate liqueur


• One (1) ounce hazelnut liqueur




How to prepare it. Very easy.

• In a warm 12-oz wine glass, mix coffee and liqueurs.


• Top with a sprinkling of cocoa powder.


• Stir.


• Serve and enjoy!



This recipe yields one (1) serving.

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T
he ingredients you will need

• Two (2) cups freshly roasted hazelnut flavored coffee beans


• One (1) cup milk


• Two (2) teaspoons of sugar


• Six (6) to eight (8) ice cubes


• About one quarter cup (¼) ground hazelnuts


• Two (2) tablespoons whipped cream



How to prepare this smoothie,

• Combine the first four (4) ingredients in blender or in a food processor at a low setting: coffee beans, milk, sugar and ice cubes.


• Blend until smooth.


• Top with whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts.

This smoothie is a great "morning starter."

We call it Hazelnut Coffee Saturday Morning Smoothie because it is a great morning beverage to drink on a Saturday morning, outside on the deck or on the porch, early in the morning, while relaxing after a week's work.
Smoothies, of course, are not just for breakfast or lunch. They are great for dessert, parties and that special snack with a friend or neighbor.
Enjoy!


Remark: Watch the very short video below in this lens to learn how to chop hazelnuts.

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