Hazelnuts are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be found in a wide variety of foods and products.
From baked goods to chocolates, hazelnuts add a rich and nutty flavor that many people love. However, for those with hazelnut allergies, it’s important to know where these nuts can be found and what products may contain them.
In this article, we’ll explore the many different foods and items that may contain hazelnuts, as well as the symptoms of hazelnut allergies and how to manage them.
So if you’re curious about what has hazelnuts in it, keep reading!
What Has Hazelnuts In It
Hazelnuts can be found in a wide variety of foods and products. Some of the most common include:
– Baked goods: Hazelnuts are often used in cookies, cakes, pastries, and breads. They can be chopped and added to the batter or used as a topping.
– Chocolates and confectionery: Hazelnuts are a popular ingredient in chocolate bars, truffles, and pralines. They can also be used to make hazelnut cocoa spread, such as Nutella.
– Ice cream: Hazelnut ice cream is a popular flavor, and hazelnuts can also be used as a topping.
– Breakfast cereals: Some breakfast cereals contain hazelnuts or hazelnut flavoring.
– Nut spreads: Hazelnut spread is a popular alternative to peanut butter and can be used in sandwiches or as a dip for fruit.
– Asian cuisine: Asian restaurants often use nuts and seeds in their cuisine, including hazelnuts. Cross-contamination is also a risk due to shared cooking equipment.
– Non-food items: Hazelnut oil is sometimes used in cosmetics, hair care products, and massage oils. Bird seed, bean bags, and pet foods may also contain tree nuts.
It’s important to note that the words “natural flavors” and “botanicals” on ingredient lists may indicate the presence of nuts or nut flavorings. If you have a hazelnut allergy, it’s important to read labels carefully and avoid any products that may contain hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts In Baked Goods
Hazelnuts are a popular ingredient in baked goods, adding a delicious nutty flavor and crunchy texture. They can be used in a variety of baked goods, including cookies, cakes, pastries, and breads. Hazelnuts can be chopped and added to the batter, or used as a topping for added crunch.
One delicious example of hazelnuts in baked goods is the Chocolate Pear Cake with Hazelnut Crumb Topping. The hazelnuts are mixed with flour, sugar, and butter to create a crisp, crunchy, and buttery crust resting on top of the cake. The combination of chocolate and pears with hazelnuts is simply heavenly.
Hazelnuts also pair well with chocolate in other baked goods such as Double Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies and Nutella Brownies. Ground hazelnuts can also be used as a flour substitute for a nutty twist on traditional baked goods.
For those who love the classic Italian dessert tiramisu, try adding chopped hazelnuts to the layers for an extra nutty crunch. Hazelnuts can also be used in biscotti for added texture and flavor.
It’s important to note that if you have a hazelnut allergy, it’s crucial to read labels carefully and avoid any products that may contain hazelnuts. However, for those who can enjoy them, hazelnuts add a delicious and unique twist to any baked good.
Hazelnuts In Chocolates And Candies
Hazelnuts are a popular ingredient in chocolates and candies due to their rich, nutty flavor and crunchy texture. They are often used in combination with chocolate to create a delicious and indulgent treat. One of the most famous examples of this is Nutella, a hazelnut and chocolate spread that is beloved around the world.
Hazelnuts can be found in a variety of chocolate bars, truffles, and pralines. They can be used whole, chopped, or ground into a paste to create different textures and flavors. Some chocolates also feature hazelnut-flavored fillings or coatings.
When it comes to chocolate bars, some of the most popular options that contain hazelnuts include Ferrero Rocher, Toblerone, and Cadbury Dairy Milk Whole Nut. These bars typically feature whole or chopped hazelnuts mixed with milk or dark chocolate.
For those who prefer a more decadent experience, hazelnut truffles are a great option. These bite-sized treats typically feature a creamy ganache filling that is flavored with hazelnut and coated in chocolate.
Hazelnuts In Spreads And Nut Butters
Hazelnuts are a popular ingredient in nut butters and spreads, especially hazelnut butter and chocolate hazelnut spread. These spreads can be a great source of plant-based protein, but they should be eaten in moderation due to their high fat content. Hazelnut butter typically has a creamier texture than peanut or almond butter, and it contains less calcium but is rich in vitamin E and magnesium.
Some hazelnut spreads on the market are loaded with added sugars and palm oil. However, there are also high-quality hazelnut spreads that are made from ground hazelnuts and nothing else. These spreads use ethically sourced hazelnuts from Spain, where farmers work under fair labor practices.
When comparing nut butters, it’s important to consider the ingredients and nutritional value. Handsome Carver’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter has only 5 grams of sugar per serving, compared to other chocolate hazelnut butters that can have as much as 20 grams of sugar per serving. Eliot’s Adult Nut Butters has created a hazelnut spread with just five simple ingredients: hazelnuts, organic powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and salt.
Hazelnuts can also be found in other nut butter varieties such as pistachio butter, almond butter, and crunchy peanut butter. These nut butters can be used in baked goods, spread on croissants or toast, or spooned into crepes as filling. They can also be used to bring flavor and panache to countless recipes.
Hazelnuts In Savory Dishes
Hazelnuts are not just for desserts! They can also be used to add a delicious nutty flavor to savory dishes. Here are a few examples:
– Salads: Hazelnuts can add crunch and earthiness to salads. Try adding chopped hazelnuts to a roasted beet and kale salad, or sprinkle them on top of a celery and blue cheese salad.
– Meat dishes: Roasted hazelnuts can add a buttery savoriness to meat dishes. Lamb kofta with hazelnuts is a delicious option, as is stuffed sirloin roll with Michigan cherries and hazelnuts.
– Pasta dishes: Hazelnuts can be used to make pesto or added to pasta dishes for extra texture and flavor. Mushroom and hazelnut fettuccini is a tasty option, as is butternut squash baked pasta with a nocciola pesto sauce.
– Soups: Creamy cauliflower soup with mushroom and hazelnut topping is a non-dairy option that is both comforting and flavorful.
– Vegetable dishes: Hazelnuts can be used to add flavor to vegetable dishes as well. Try seared squash with hazelnut aillade or roasted winter carrots with hazelnuts.
These are just a few examples of the many savory dishes that can be enhanced with the addition of hazelnuts. Whether you’re looking for a meaty main course or a hearty vegetarian option, hazelnuts can add a delicious nutty twist to your favorite savory dishes.
Hazelnuts In Beauty And Personal Care Products
Hazelnut oil and Hydrogenated Hazelnut Oil are commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products due to their skin-conditioning properties. Hazelnut oil is rich in antioxidants, including over 80% of our daily requirement of Vitamin E, which helps to boost collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its high content of fatty acids and vitamin E work powerfully together to increase hydration in the outer layer of the skin, making it a perfect remedy for dry skin.
Hazelnut oil also contains tannins, which are powerful antioxidants that make it an astringent that can help dry oily skin, cleanse and shrink pores, and remove bacteria. This makes it an excellent ingredient in products designed for acne-prone skin. Hazelnut oil has a low comedogenic rating, which means it is unlikely to cause clogged pores and associated acne/breakouts, making it suitable for all skin types.
NUXE uses Hazelnut Oil obtained by cold-pressing, selected for its high fatty acid and vitamin E content, which endows it with moisturizing, softening, protective, and soothing properties. Hazelnut Oil is found in skincare products in the Merveillance® Expert range (Merveillance® Expert Lift and Firm Cream, Merveillance® Expert Lift and Firm Rich Cream and Merveillance® Expert Lift and Firm Night Cream), and in all types of Huile Prodigieuse®: Huile Prodigieuse®, Huile Prodigieuse® Florale, Huile Prodigieuse® Riche and Huile Prodigieuse® Or.
Hazelnut oil is one of the rare oily ingredients recommended for combination to oily skin. Its “dry” oil texture allows it to penetrate the skin deeply without leaving a greasy film. This makes it an excellent ingredient in personal care products designed for oily skin types, helping to regulate excess sebum production.
Symptoms Of Hazelnut Allergies
Symptoms of a hazelnut allergy can range from mild to severe and may appear shortly after or immediately after consuming the nut or its products. Some of the most common symptoms include:
– Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, or any other area
– Nasal congestion or runny nose
– Wheezing or coughing
– Hives
– Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting
– Difficulty swallowing
– Shortness of breath
– Swelling of lips, tongue, or face
In some cases, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis can occur suddenly, leaving the person having difficulty breathing and possibly going into shock. Among the most common allergens associated with anaphylaxis are tree nut allergies. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms of anaphylaxis after consuming hazelnuts or any other tree nuts.
It’s also worth noting that cross-reactivity to birch pollen can cause oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen food syndrome (PFS) in some individuals. This may result in mild local allergy symptoms, particularly in the spring when birch flowers. Adults are more likely than children to be sensitized to one of the hazelnut proteins linked to OAS. Symptoms may include an itchy puffy mouth, lips, tongue, throat, or face. The risk of systemic reactions is lower than with a food allergy, but it’s still important to get a check-up as soon as possible in case that’s what it is.
If you suspect you have a hazelnut allergy or have experienced any of the above symptoms after consuming hazelnuts or hazelnut-containing products, it’s important to seek medical advice and get tested for allergies. Avoiding hazelnuts and any products that may contain them is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction. Always read ingredient labels carefully and inform restaurant staff of your allergy to avoid cross-contamination.