Open-mouthed hazelnuts

Open-mouthed hazelnuts

　　Hazelnuts, also known as mountain chestnuts, pointed chestnuts, or cudgels, are hailed as the "king of nuts" due to their rich nutritional content. They come from wild shrubs. The fruit of the hazel tree is divided into two types: flat hazelnuts and hairy hazelnuts. Flat hazelnuts are flat and round, with thick skins and smooth exteriors, yielding sweet kernels; hairy hazelnuts are cone-shaped, with thin skins and fine fuzz, producing mellow and fragrant kernels. They belong to the plant genus *Corylus* in the family Corylaceae.

They resemble chestnuts in shape, with hard shells and plump, round, fragrant white kernels that are high in oil content, making them exceptionally delicious with a lingering aftertaste. As a result, they have become one of the most popular types of nuts, often grouped with almonds, walnuts, and cashews as the "four major nuts." Hazelnuts are highly nutritious. In addition to containing protein, fat, and carbohydrates, their kernels are also rich in carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin E. Hazelnuts contain all eight essential amino acids needed by the human body, and their content far exceeds that of walnuts. They also have higher levels of trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron compared to other nuts.