Hazelnut Oil

What Is Hazelnut Oil?

Hazelnut oil (Corylus avellana) is a specialty oil with a deep golden color and intense roasted hazelnut aroma, made by cold-pressing raw or roasted hazelnuts. It is a traditional product of the Black Sea region; because it is labor-intensive to produce, it costs more than olive or sunflower oil.

Roasted hazelnut oil made by hot pressing is darker and more intensely flavored, while the cold-pressed variety is lighter in color and slightly sweet.

Hazelnut Oil Nutrition Facts

Providing about 884 kcal per 100 grams, hazelnut oil is almost entirely fat. Its fatty acid profile consists largely of monounsaturated fat (mainly oleic acid), making it similar to olive oil.

What Are the Benefits of Hazelnut Oil?

With its high proportion of monounsaturated fat, hazelnut oil is considered one option that can replace saturated fat as part of a balanced diet.

This is general information; hazelnut oil is a food, not a medical treatment. People with a hazelnut allergy should not consume hazelnut oil.

How to Choose Hazelnut Oil

When choosing hazelnut oil, check how well the packaging blocks light and whether the aroma smells fresh.

• The bottle should be dark glass and should not have been exposed to light for a long time.
• Look for a distinct roasted hazelnut aroma without bitter notes.
• Choose smaller bottles; the oil should be used soon after opening.

How to Store Hazelnut Oil

Hazelnut oil is sensitive to light and heat. Storing it in its dark-colored bottle in a cool cupboard or in the refrigerator helps preserve its aroma for longer. It may become slightly cloudy in the refrigerator and clear again at room temperature.

How to Use Hazelnut Oil in the Kitchen

Hazelnut oil does not withstand high heat, so it is used as a finishing oil rather than a cooking oil. A few drops bring out its aroma in salad dressings, cold appetizers, and desserts.

How to Use Hazelnut Oil

Use it mixed with olive oil in salad dressing, drizzled over cooked vegetables, or added at the end of cake and dessert recipes; cooking it over high heat diminishes its aroma.

What Recipes Use Hazelnut Oil?

It is used as a finishing touch for green salads, hazelnut oil vinaigrettes, some cakes, and pastries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hazelnut oil good for?

With its high monounsaturated fat content, hazelnut oil is one of the oils considered part of a balanced diet. It is a food and is not claimed to cure any disease.

Can hazelnut oil be used for frying?

It is not recommended; because of its low smoke point and high cost, it is used as a finishing oil rather than a frying oil.

Where should hazelnut oil be stored?

Store it in its dark-colored bottle in a cool cupboard or in the refrigerator; light and heat quickly diminish its aroma.

Are hazelnut oil and hazelnut butter the same thing?

No. Hazelnut oil is a pure oil obtained by pressing hazelnuts, while hazelnut butter is a thick product made by grinding roasted hazelnuts.

What dishes go well with hazelnut oil?

Add a few drops to green salads, cooked root vegetables, cream soups, and some desserts.