Chengde Hazelnuts

Chengde Hazelnuts

　　Hazelnut trees are wild shrubs. The nuts they produce, known as hazelnuts, come in two varieties: flat hazelnuts and downy hazelnuts. Flat hazelnuts are flat and round, with thick skins and smooth surfaces; their kernels are sweet and fragrant. Downy hazelnuts are cone-shaped, with thin skins and fine fuzz, and their kernels are mellow and aromatic.

　　In ancient times, hazelnuts were often served as dried fruit—roasted and offered to guests alongside melon seeds and peanuts. In more recent times, hazelnuts have also been used to make sauces, canned foods, and pastry fillings, all of which are very popular with consumers. Chengde is a major producer of hazelnuts, accounting for over half of the national output. Its hazelnuts are not only popular domestically but are also exported as far as Japan and other countries. (Chengde)