Tieling Hazelnuts

Tieling Hazelnuts

Tieling Hazelnuts is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Tieling Hazelnuts

　　[Product Introduction]

　　Hazelnuts, also known as mountain chestnuts, pointed chestnuts, or stick nuts, resemble chestnuts in shape. Their hard shells encase plump, round kernels that are aromatic and rich in oil, making them particularly delicious and leaving a lingering aftertaste. This has made them one of the most popular types of nuts, earning them the title "King of Nuts." Hazelnuts are highly nutritious, with their kernels containing not only protein, fat, and carbohydrates but also abundant amounts of carotene, vitamins B1, B2, and E, as well as higher levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iron compared to other nuts. The natural oils in hazelnuts enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, offering excellent nourishment for those who are weak, recovering from illness, or prone to hunger. With vitamin E content as high as 36%, they can effectively delay aging, prevent arteriosclerosis, and nourish the skin.

　　[How to Identify High-Quality Tieling Hazelnuts]

　　Since Tieling hazelnuts are now all wild—unlike cultivated products—they are a product of nature, meaning their varying sizes and qualities are not easily separated. Therefore, high-quality Tieling hazelnuts should have a kernel yield of over 90%. How can you identify good Tieling hazelnuts? Grab a handful and weigh them: the heavier ones indicate more and plumper kernels, signifying premium quality. Unlike the large American hazelnuts sold in markets, these wild Northeastern Tieling hazelnuts may be smaller in size, but their taste and nutritional value are absolutely unmatched.

　　[Prices of Tieling Hazelnuts]

　　1. Regular Tieling Hazelnuts: 15–20 RMB/jin (Do not buy Tieling hazelnuts under 15 RMB, as these are the ones that float during water sifting, often hollow and with very small kernels. These hazelnuts have thicker shells, are smaller in size, harder to crack without tools, and have a kernel yield of only 60–75%. Their small, downy-coated kernels (which include fine woody fuzz) are hard to digest, not tasty, mostly half-filled, mildly fragrant, and offer poor cost-performance.

　　2. Water-Sifted Tieling Hazelnuts: 25 RMB/jin. These hazelnuts have thinner shells, larger sizes, and are easier to crack. The kernels are smooth, without any woody fuzz, and have a kernel yield of 90–95%. They feature large, fragrant kernels with high cost-performance.

　　3. Hand-Patted Water-Sifted Tieling Hazelnuts: 30–35 RMB/jin. These hazelnuts have very thin shells and large sizes. A simple hand press will open them, with a kernel yield of 95–99%. The kernels are large, plump, smooth, fuzz-free, fragrant, crispy, and offer extremely high cost-performance.

　　4. Pre-Cracked Tieling King Hazelnuts: Also known as “Smiling Hazelnuts,” 40 RMB/jin. These hazelnuts have very thin shells and visible cracks on each nut. They are large in size, and can be easily opened by hand along the natural cracks. With a kernel yield of 95–99%, the kernels are large, plump, smooth, fuzz-free, fragrant, crispy, and make an excellent gift for visiting relatives or friends.

　　[Source of Tieling Hazelnuts] Tieling hazelnuts are the kernels of the hazel plant, belonging to the birch family.

　　[Plant Morphology of Tieling Hazelnuts] Hazel (from “The Book of Songs”) is a deciduous shrub or small tree, growing 1–7 meters tall. Tieling hazelnuts are distributed across the Northeast, North China, as well as Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.

　　[Chemical Composition of Tieling Hazelnuts] The kernels of Tieling hazelnuts contain 16.5% carbohydrates, 16.2–18% protein, 50.6–77% fat, and 3.5% ash. The fruit contains 15% starch. The leaves contain 5.95–14.58% tannins.

　　[Flavor Profile of Tieling Hazelnuts] Sweet, neutral.

　　① “Kaibao Materia Medica”: sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

　　② “Medical Forest Compilation Essentials”: sweet and slightly salty, neutral.

　　[Functions and Indications – Benefits of Tieling Hazelnuts] Regulates digestion, stimulates appetite, improves vision.

　　[Usage and Dosage] Oral administration: decoct 1–2 liang of hazelnuts; or grind into powder.

　　[Prescription Example] For post-illness weakness, poor appetite, and fatigue: 2 liang of Tieling hazelnuts, 1 liang of Chinese yam, 4 qian of codonopsis root, 3 qian of dried tangerine peel.