Are you a hazelnut lover eagerly waiting for the perfect time to pick your own nuts?
Or perhaps you’re a grower wondering when to start harvesting your hazelnut bushes?
Either way, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll explore the best time to pick hazelnuts, how to tell when they’re ready, and some tips for harvesting and de-husking them.
So grab a cup of coffee and get ready to learn all about this delicious and versatile nut!
How Early Can You Pick Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are a popular nut that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from snacking on them raw to using them in baking and cooking. But when is the best time to pick hazelnuts?
The answer depends on a few factors, including the variety of hazelnut, the climate in your area, and the ripeness of the nuts. In general, hazelnuts ripen in late summer through early fall, with most nuts falling from the tree when fully ripe.
However, it’s important to note that some hazelnut bushes may not produce their first nuts until their fourth year, and may not come into full nut production until year nine or later. So if you’re a grower, be patient and give your bushes time to mature before expecting a bountiful harvest.
When it comes to picking hazelnuts, it’s best to wait until the nuts become loose inside their frilled husks. This can happen when the husks are fully dried or still moist and green. If the nut clusters come off easily when tugged, they are ready for harvest.
If you’re in an area where squirrels or other creatures forage for nuts, it’s a good idea to harvest hazelnuts before they fall from the husks. You can also check the nuts as you harvest them and throw away any with signs of damage or disease.
When Is The Best Time To Pick Hazelnuts?
The best time to pick hazelnuts is when they are loose inside their frilled husks. This can happen when the husks are fully dried or still moist and green. If the nut clusters come off easily when tugged, they are ready for harvest.
It’s important to note that hazelnut bushes may not produce their first nuts until their fourth year, and may not come into full nut production until year nine or later. So if you’re a grower, be patient and give your bushes time to mature before expecting a bountiful harvest.
If you’re in an area where squirrels or other creatures forage for nuts, it’s a good idea to harvest hazelnuts before they fall from the husks. This will help avoid losses to animal predation. In some plants, the nuts may become loose in their husks when the husks are still green and moist, whereas in others it may not be until they are brown and dry.
After harvesting, it’s important to check the nuts for any signs of damage or disease and discard any that are not suitable for consumption. If the husks were still green and moist at harvest time, they need to post-ripen for a week or two in conditions of high humidity but with adequate light and air circulation. If the husks were starting to turn brown at harvest time, they should be allowed to dry completely by spreading them out in a well-ventilated (but mouse-proof) location until completely dry.
In general, hazelnuts ripen in late summer through early fall, depending on your climate. Once they turn brown and begin to drop from the tree, it is time to pick them. However, it’s always best to check the nuts for ripeness by pulling on the clusters before harvesting. This will ensure that you get the best quality nuts possible for your enjoyment.
How To Tell When Hazelnuts Are Ready To Harvest
To determine if hazelnuts are ready to harvest, look for signs that the nuts have become loose inside their husks. This can happen when the husks are still green and moist, or when they have turned brown and dry.
If the nut clusters can be easily pulled from the bushes, they are likely ready to harvest. However, it’s important to note that not all hazelnut varieties ripen at the same time, so you may need to monitor your bushes closely to determine when the nuts are ready.
If you’re harvesting hazelnuts while the husks are still green and moist, it’s important to post-ripen them for a week or two in conditions of high humidity with adequate light and air circulation. This will help prevent predation by squirrels and other animals.
On the other hand, if the husks have started to turn brown at harvest time, it’s best to allow them to dry completely by spreading them out in a well-ventilated location or hanging them in mesh onion bags until they are completely dry. This will help preserve their quality and flavor.
Once you’ve harvested your hazelnuts, it’s important to dry them within 24 hours to prevent spoilage. You can do this by drying them at temperatures between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three days or until the nut kernel develops a creamy color and firm texture throughout.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your hazelnuts are harvested at the right time and prepared properly for maximum flavor and enjoyment.
Tips For Harvesting Hazelnuts
Here are some tips to help you harvest hazelnuts successfully:
1. Pay attention to the ripeness of the nuts: Hazelnuts should be harvested just as soon as they become loose in their husks to avoid losses to animal predation. In some plants, this may occur when the husks are still green and moist, whereas in others it may not be until they are brown and dry. If the clusters can be pulled from the bushes easily, they are ready to harvest.
2. Check for signs of damage or disease: As you harvest hazelnuts, it’s important to check them for any signs of damage or disease. Throw away any nuts that appear to have holes or other signs of damage.
3. Allow the nuts to post-ripen if necessary: If the husks were still green and moist at harvest time, they need to post-ripen for a week or two in conditions of high humidity but with adequate light and air circulation.
4. Dry completely before storing: If the husks were starting to turn brown at harvest time, they should be allowed to dry completely by spreading them out in a well-ventilated (but mouse-proof) location, hanging them in mesh onion bags, until completely dry.
5. Be patient: Hazelnut bushes may take several years to reach full nut production, so be patient and give your bushes time to mature before expecting a bountiful harvest.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you harvest hazelnuts at the right time and store them properly for future use.
De-Husking Hazelnuts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you have harvested your hazelnuts, the next step is to remove the husks. This process is called de-husking and can be done in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Boil the Hazelnuts
Start by bringing a large pot of water to boil. Add the hazelnuts and a tablespoon of baking soda to the pot. Let them boil for about 3 minutes, making sure to keep an eye on the pot to prevent overflow. During this process, the water will turn black, which is normal.
Step 2: Rinse and Dry
After boiling, transfer the hazelnuts to a colander and rinse them with cold water. The skin from each nut should slip off easily with your fingers. Once you have removed all the husks, blot the nuts dry with a paper towel.
Step 3: Roast the Hazelnuts
Preheat your oven to 350°F and transfer the husked hazelnuts onto a baking sheet. Roast them in the oven for about 15 minutes until they turn a light golden brown. This will enhance their flavor and make them more crunchy.
Once you have completed these steps, your hazelnuts are ready to be enjoyed in a variety of ways. You can eat them as a snack, add them to your favorite recipes, or even make homemade nut butter. With this simple guide, you can easily de-husk your hazelnuts and enjoy their delicious flavor all year round.
