Hazel Nut Oil

• Hazelnut oil is obtained by pressing kernels (nuts) collected from the hazel bush (Corylus avellana L.) (cold-pressed hazelnut oil). Usually, oil obtained in this way is then refined (refined hazelnut oil).
• The hazel bush is to be found right across Europe, as far as Asia Minor and has been cultivated since the earliest times for its oil-seeds (nuts), which are used as a food.
• The principal areas with a northern climate in which the hazel bush is cultivated are Italy, Spain, and Turkey.
• The bulk of hazelnut production is either consumed in crude form or used, in ground form, as a baking ingredient or a chocolate additive, in confectionery (nougat and cracknel) and ice-cream.
• In contrast, hazelnut oil production is on a lesser scale.