Hazelnuts... Did You Know?

Filbert, Pontic, Cobnut, Hazelnut.

No matter which of its names we use, we are surely referring to the same mahogany colored nut. Humans have eaten and cherished the fruit of the hazel for as long as 8,000 years. Since the Mesolithic age, wisdom, inspiration, fertility, prosperity, abundance, and a list of other mystical qualities have been attributed to hazelnuts. Fast forward to 1856 and we find the English sailor Sam Strickland planting the first known hazel in the Pacific Northwest. From that one felicitous tree sprouted an Oregonian tradition of producing the finest hazelnuts in the world.

Our hazelnuts are wildly versatile yet stand on their own.

Despite climate-related constraints on commercial growing, hazelnuts are the fourth most popular tree nut in the world. When many Americans think “hazelnut,” sweet chocolate spreads and candies are what may come to mind. However, hazelnuts deserve appreciation for their own merit by nut lovers across the United States. Whether eaten raw or roasted and lightly salted, dusted with cocoa powder, truffle oil, or nothing at all, our wholesome, superstar hazelnuts are delicious in their own right. With a faint hint of bitterness, the skin of our hazelnuts may be enjoyed as a complement to the delightfully sweet white kernels underneath... or with a flick the skin peels right off. Our raw hazelnuts feature a decadent, milky flavor, and a texture verging on butteriness.

Our versatile hazelnuts may be enjoyed in a variety of ways. When roasted, our hazelnuts reveal the depth of earthy tones, and an even crunchier bite. Hazelnut flour lends pastries and savory dishes alike a subtle texture and a rich, nutty flavor. Hazelnut oil, pressed from whole hazelnuts, is nutty, full-bodied, and slightly sweet and may be used as a cooking oil or drizzled atop salads and soups.

 

Our hazelnuts keep your body and mind healthy.

In the first century, the Greek physician Dioscorides purported that hazelnuts cure chronic coughing, cold, and hair loss. Chinese manuscripts from thousands of years prior to that named the filbert among the five sacred nourishments God bestowed on human beings.

Though we at Farmacopia Farms do not loudly endorse claims about our nuts having mystical healing powers [of course they do], we can say that our foodie forebears were onto something real. Our hazelnuts are abundantly nutritious. This heart-healthy nut is chock full of protein, unsaturated fat, and fiber, in addition to many other essential vitamins and minerals.

Hazelnuts could improve insulin sensitivity, which can help reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes. Furthermore, the high levels of antioxidants in hazelnuts may decrease inflammation, protect against cell damage, and even lower blood cholesterol. Hazelnuts are also a source of folic acid, which is important for heart health and decreasing the risk of birth defects.

Incorporating hazelnuts into your diet is an easy and delicious way to up your nutrition game.

Our hazelnuts are kind to the soil that feeds them.

It is no accident that Farmacopia Farms belongs to the 99% of hazelnut growers in the United States located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where Strickland planted his hazel. With its temperate climate and rich volcanic soil, the Willamette Valley is an ideal area for growing large, high-quality hazelnuts.

Oregon’s generous rainfall provides hazelnuts with a sustainable home, while the hazel’s massive root systems make the plant drought resistant. In addition to requiring minimal water, hazelnuts sequester more carbon and reduce both soil erosion and nitrogen leaching. Hazels also benefit Oregon’s streams and rivers by filtering harmful chemicals from ground water before it flows into nearby water sources. It is thought that hazelnuts require 70% less water than comparable walnuts, pistachios or almonds.

Hazels create a sustainable environment for future growth. If cared for properly, the tree will produce quality nuts for up to 100 years. At Farmacopia Farms, we nurture our hazelnuts from the ground up—and return the love we’ve grown back to the soil. Why not opt for adding a handful of hazelnuts to your next trail mix concoction? You will be helping to halt the effects of climate change and satisfying your cravings!

A Food You Can Trust.

You can be confident when you take a bite out of one of our crunchy, creamy hazelnuts that it has passed through no hands but our own. Our farming practices ensure that in 100 years, our soil will be more fertile and our hazel trees will have lived happy, healthy lives. Our Jefferson-variety hazelnuts protect themselves from blight, so neither you nor our hazels consume any pesticides. If you are looking for a fully transparent, optimally cared for hazelnut, then you have found it.

Rich, Buttery
Hazelnuts

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