Hazelnuts are true nuts that are often used for making confections.
The definition of a true nut is a hard seed that is an indehiscent fruit, which means it doesn't open up at any point in its mature ripened stage. The English language tends to attach the word "nut" to most hard kernels, sometimes including seeds and legumes, which are not classified as nuts in the biological sense of the word. Thus, some of the most common edible true nuts include hazelnuts, chestnuts, acorns and pecans.
Hazelnut
Sometimes referred to as a cob nut or a filbert nut, hazelnuts come from the hazel (Corylus) tree, which is commercially grown in Europe and the Middle East. The nut is edible in its raw state but is often roasted to produce a slightly tart and sweet flavor. Its thin, slightly bitter skin is sometimes removed before culinary applications, which include confectionery pastes, pralines and mixtures with chocolate. Other applications of hazelnuts include beverages, as the flavor has been used to enhance coffees and make liqueurs, such as Frangelico.
Chestnuts
The chestnut can be harvested from any of the eight chestnut trees and scrubs in the beech (Fagaceae) family. Also known as chinkapin, the nut is native to countries in the northern hemisphere, places like the United States, Western Europe and Asia. It is high in starch and low in fat, giving it a nutritional value that is closer to a potato rather than other nuts. It can be extremely perishable and should be stored in temperatures around 40 degrees F, according to C. Bruhn and L. Harris. Though chestnuts are edible raw and roasted, they are often roasted before consumption.
Acorns
Hailing from the oak tree, the acorn is a nut that is encased in a tough leathery shell. The trees can be found in many warm to cold climates, though they are native to the northern hemisphere. Though acorns are consumed by wildlife, they are also included in international cuisines. Before eating acorns, much of the tannic acid is removed by soaking the nuts in a hot water bath. They can then be ground into a flour that is used for culinary applications, such as Japanese acorn cakes or Korean jellies.
Pecans
The pecan is the nut of the hickory tree, which is native to south central areas of the United States and Mexico. The tree bears the pecan nut, which is green at first but turns brown with maturity. The nut, which is an oblong-shaped fruit, can be eaten raw or roasted, and has a buttery flavor. Though there are some savory culinary applications for the nut, pecans are often used in desserts, such as pecan pie and praline candy.
Tags: culinary applications, northern hemisphere, often roasted, often used, tree which, true nuts