Hazelnut
Hazelnut( hazelnut, hazelnut) is a cultivated( garden) variety of hazelnut. It is used in the same way as a hazelnut. The difference between hazelnut and hazel is small, because hazelnuts are not a special kind, but simply a cultural form of hazelnut. In Russia it is distributed mainly in the southern regions. The relatives of the present cultural hazelnut grew exclusively on the Mediterranean and Black Sea shores, as evidenced by the fact that one of the districts of Istanbul was once called Fundukliu, and in the 18th century the geographer Bakkrioni mentions hazelnut among the main riches of Georgia.
Hazelnut is one of the most cherished places among walnut crops. In the European part of Russia in coniferous-broadleaved and broad-leaved forests, in the forest-steppe, in the steppe zone along the overgrown ravines. In the Caucasus it rises almost to 2000 m above sea level. Cultivated in several parts of the country.
There are many varieties of hazelnut, among which you can name Purple, Moscow n. Sugar, Tambov early, Ivanteev-shiny and Nemsa.
Post-planting pruning
After planting the bush, it is necessary to cut the above-ground part of the plant to the base, leaving the hemp as high as 10 cm, which is 4-6 kidneys from the ground level. This stimulates the formation of a strong young growth, from which the crown of the bush is subsequently formed.
Annual and rejuvenating pruning
The goal of annual pruning is to maintain a certain number of branches in the crown of the bush, in which the illumination inside it does not deteriorate. To do this, the extra branches and rooting roots that thicken the crown should be cut at the base, thereby effecting its thinning. With aging of the bush, 15 years after planting, it is necessary to deal with its gradual rejuvenation. To do this, from the crown, cut 3-4 old branches a year, replacing them with young branches from the root cane.
Useful properties
Hazelnut is rich in nutrients, its caloric content( about 700 kcal), it exceeds by 2-3 times bread, 8 times - milk, as well as chocolate. The walnut is rich in vitamins B, B2, C, E. 100 grams of kernels contain 618 mg of potassium, 354 mg of phosphorus, 287 mg of calcium, 46 mg of cyanamine, 9 mg of niacin and 4.1 mg of iron( more than in vegetables,fruits and meat).The kernel of the hazelnut consists of almost 12% protein and 16% carbohydrates, no more than 6% water and more than 60% fat( this is a particularly healthy ratio).Even people with diabetes mellitus are allowed to take pleasure in them. Because of the extremely low carbohydrate content, nuts can be eaten even with the strictest diet and do not get better.
Hazelnut kernels contain 65% oil, consisting of oleic, stearic and palmitic glycerides, which inhibit the growth of cholesterol in the blood, protect against vascular diseases, and are extremely necessary for a growing organism. Therefore, hazelnuts should be an integral part of the nutrition of children, young people, and especially the elderly.
Minerals present in hazelnut are also useful for both growing and mature. Calcium( Ca) strengthens bones and teeth, iron( Fe) is necessary for blood, zinc( Zn) - for the production of sex hormones, potassium( K) - for the physiological activity of the nervous and muscular systems. The high content of potassium, calcium in combination with sodium promotes the effective development and strengthening of the structure of bones and prevents high blood pressure.
Hazelnut contains substances that remove slag from the body( especially from the liver).It prevents putrefactive processes, promotes the purification of the body and strengthens the human immune system.
In the hazelnut extract, a group of scientists from the Portland Institute discovered the chemical paclitaxel, which is the basis of the most common anti-cancer drug in the world, taxol. However, in the hazelnut the content of polytaxel is small, only 6-7 mg per 1 g of dry matter.
In folk medicine, uses fruits, leaves and hazelnut bark. Nuts are harvested in dry, clear weather during the full ripening of the nuts, when they themselves fall to the ground and the kernels are easily extracted from the shell. Nuts are dried in an oven or dryer at a temperature of 60-70 ° C.Leaves harvested during flowering, dried in an attic or under a canopy. When drying nuts and leaves, do not allow direct sunlight to come on them. The bark is harvested in early spring, it is stored for 2 years.
A hazelnut with a water is used for kidney stones and urolithiasis, bronchitis, flatulence, hemoptysis and fever, as well as inadequate separation of milk from nursing women. When kidney stones are also recommended, there are kernels of nuts, peeled from a thin brown husk. The nuts themselves are also used to improve the functioning of the brain and kidneys and enhance sexual potency.
Hazelnut in cooking
Due to its nutritional and healing properties, hazelnuts are an indispensable ingredient in the manufacture of confectionery. The confectionery industry prepares flour from hazelnuts, plates;produces roasted, candied, salted, bleached and chopped hazelnuts. Kernels are eaten raw, dried and roasted( roasted), used to make cakes, sweets, creams, various fillings. Especially a lot of candy from hazelnut is made in the Caucasus. From fresh nuts by grinding with a small amount of water, "milk" and "cream" are obtained, which have a high nutritional value and are recommended for the weakened patient. From roasted nuts prepare a drink that resembles coffee. Nuts are used in the production of liqueurs. Nut butter has a pleasant taste and aroma. It is very nutritious. Used in the food industry, as well as in the varnish-and-paint, perfume industry and soap making. Of the cake, left after pressing the oil, prepare halva.
Nut kernels are used raw as a treat, and also used whole and crushed for various culinary products. Fried( roasted) nuts acquire a specific taste, a better flavor and are stored longer.