Nuts are incredibly popular as a topping and spread, as they have an intense flavor that is used in both sweet and savory dishes. People tend to use hazelnut butter or milk in their vegan meals and baked goods because they do not contain dairy or gluten. In their purest form, raw or roasted, hazelnuts make a fantastic salad, complement roasted vegetables, and are superb snack.    

On top of that, hazelnuts are a superfood because of how healthily calorie-dense they are. They have a high concentration of healthy fats to encourage heart health, vitamin E for soft skin, and minerals such as magnesium and copper for bone development and energy boosting.

Devgan further elaborates, “Hazelnuts, in particular Turkish hazelnuts are rich in antioxidants. The most dominant antioxidants that present in hazelnuts are phenolic compounds and it has been shown that they lower blood cholesterol and inflammation as well as improve hearts’ health. Furthermore, these antioxidants are also antimicrobial and assist in reducing cell aging and diseases…. Hazelnuts contain high amounts of fiber thus improving gut health, the same can be said for vegetarians and vegans too as it serves as a great source of plant protein”.

This year, Devgan gives five reasons as to why these nuts should be in your pantry:

Rich in nutrients: Vitamin E, magnesium, and monounsaturated fats are abundant in hazelnuts. They are also high in B vitamins, needed for energy production and cell maintenance. Also, hazelnuts have more good fats than other nuts, which is a great combined with the strong health appeal.

Helps improve gut health: The hazelnut is quite rich in dietary fibre. It helps repair and maintain a healthy digestive system. The fibre boosts digestive health by nurturing gut bacteria and mitigating inflammation. Like other nuts, hazelnuts do have a decent amount of fibre, and therefore they can be added to a health-conscious diet.

Environment friendly: Hazelnuts are one of the best types of nuts for conscious consumers. They are a sustainable option because they are quite water efficient in their production compared to many other nut varieties.

Quite tasteful: Hazelnuts combine well with a great variety of dishes. They have a delicious buttery flavor which enhances any dish both in taste and aroma. Therefore, both the cooks and those who love to eat food enjoy using these ingredients in their recipes.