Hazelnut
Also called filbert
Hazelnuts bring a rich, toasted flavor to enhance sweet and savory dishes.
Flavor profile
Aroma: nutty, toasted
Good to know
Origin: Europe, Asia Minor
Forms: whole, shelled, ground, oil
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
How to use hazelnut
Chocolate's Best Friend
Combine with chocolate. Nut fats enhance texture and balance out flavors.
Smooth Dressings
Ground hazelnuts emulsify dressings, with fats adding smoothness and flavor.
What goes with hazelnut
- Cocoa. Hazelnut's toasted, buttery sweetness matches cocoa's bitter depth.
- Coffee. Coffee's bitterness contrasts with hazelnut's sweetness.
- Rosemary. Rosemary shares woody terpene aromas with hazelnuts.
- Butter. Butter's fat dissolves hazelnut aroma compounds, amplifying flavor.
- Beet. Toasted hazelnut adds nutty richness to beet's earthy sweetness.
- Cauliflower. Toasted hazelnut adds crunch and nutty sweetness to roasted cauliflower.
- Green Bean. Toasted hazelnut adds nutty crunch against green bean's snap.
- Honey. Honey sweetens toasted hazelnut and rounds out its slight bitterness.
- Mushroom. Toasted hazelnut and sauteed mushroom both carry roasted, earthy notes that echo each other.
- Maple Syrup. Maple's caramel sweetness complements hazelnut's toasty notes.
Mistakes to avoid
- Overheating increases bitter tannins, ruining taste.
- Leaving skins on can release tannins, harming flavor.
Ideas for tonight
- Add hazelnuts to a cheese platter.
- Mix into homemade granola.
- Incorporate into stuffing for a nutty flavor.
Hazelnut: questions
What does hazelnut taste like?
Hazelnuts bring a rich, toasted flavor to enhance sweet and savory dishes., with an aroma that is nutty, toasted.
What goes well with hazelnut?
Hazelnut pairs best with cocoa, coffee, rosemary, butter, beet. Hazelnut's toasted, buttery sweetness matches cocoa's bitter depth.
How do you use hazelnut in cooking?
Chocolate's Best Friend: combine with chocolate. Nut fats enhance texture and balance out flavors.
How should you store hazelnut?
Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
What is the most common mistake with hazelnut?
Overheating increases bitter tannins, ruining taste.
