Hazelnuts , being the fruit of hazelnuts, are considered to be very he althy. They are a valuable source of vitamins (especially vitamin E), mineral s alts and unsaturated fatty acids. In order to preserve valuable nutritional properties, the correctdate of harvesting hazelnutsand the way of their storage are important. Seewhen to collect hazelnuts and how to store themto keep them as long as possible!
Hazelnuts
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When to collect hazelnuts?
Hazelnuts, depending on the variety and weather conditions,ripen from mid-August to OctoberAnd so, for example, hazelnuts on 'Lambert Biały' variety ripen in the second half August, on the popular and valued 'Catalan' variety, the nuts ripen around mid-September, while the largest hazelnuts of the 'Olbrzymi z Halle' variety will not be harvested until October.
The shell of the fruit turns yellow-orange when ripe, and becomes light brown when ripe. A signal that they are ripe is falling from the tree. However, they ripen unevenly, sohazelnut harvesting is carried out gradually over a longer period of time , collecting another batch of nuts every few days. Nuts can be collected from one hazelnut bush in batches for 6-8 weeks.
Pick the hazelnuts when they fall to the ground
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Collect hazelnuts after falling from the treeFallen nuts should not be left on the ground for more than 2-3 days, so harvesting must be repeated. To collect more nuts at a time and slightly extend the time until the next harvest, the hazelnut branches can be gently shaken. Then the nuts will fall, which would fall from the bush in the coming days anyway.
Hazelnuts are best harvested in warm and sunny weatherin dry weather. If we collect them wet, they must be dried. Otherwise, they will mold easily. For this reason, I prefer the cultivation of early-ripening varieties of hazel. Dry weather is easier at the end of summer. Nuts of the 'Olbrzymi z Halle' variety, ripening only in October, unfortunately we will usually have to collect them when wet.
Good to know!
Hazel begins to bear fruit quite late. We can count on the first nuts after 4-6 years of cultivation, as long as we have planted well-rooted plants. Hazel requires pollination, so it is good to plant at least two varieties in the garden to pollinate each other.
How to store hazelnuts?
OHazelnuts are best kept in shell, unshelledThen they retain the most nutritional value, and the shell protects them from going rancid. We keep them in a ventilated and dry place, in openwork boxes, wicker baskets, or cotton or linen bags. It is important that there is air access. They can stay in such conditions for many months.
Hazelnuts
Fig. pixabay.com
Shelled hazelnuts are best kept in closed containers or jars . Closing them will protect them against loss of moisture and excessive drying. Shelled nuts should not be stored for too long.
