Hazelnuts are a delicious and versatile nut that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from roasted and salted to used in baked goods.
But when is the best time to harvest these tasty treats?
The answer is not as simple as you might think. The timing of the hazelnut harvest can vary depending on a number of factors, including climate, soil type, and the specific variety of hazelnut tree or bush.
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of hazelnut harvesting, including when to pick the nuts, how to prepare them for consumption, and more.
So grab a cup of coffee and settle in – it’s time to learn all about harvesting hazelnuts!
What Time Of Year Do You Harvest Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts typically ripen and fall from the trees between late August and October. However, the exact timing of the harvest can vary depending on the specific variety of hazelnut tree or bush, as well as climate and soil conditions.
Hazelnut bushes usually produce their first nuts in their fourth year, but they won’t reach full nut production until year nine or later. It’s important to harvest the nuts 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, while 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. 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.
Expect your first crop to be small, but after a couple of seasons, the bounty will grow! A mature tree can produce 25 pounds of nuts in one season and will continue to produce for about 50 years.
Factors That Affect Hazelnut Harvest Timing
Several factors can affect the timing of hazelnut harvest, including the specific variety of hazelnut tree or bush, climate, and soil conditions.
Different varieties of hazelnut trees mature at different rates, with some producing nuts as early as four years of age while others may take longer. For instance, hazelnut bushes usually produce their first nuts in their fourth year but do not reach full nut production until year nine or later.
Climate also plays a crucial role in determining the timing of hazelnut harvest. Hazelnuts thrive in regions with mild, moist winters combined with cool summers. Poor soil and drought conditions can significantly alter when the hazelnuts are ready for picking.
Soil conditions also affect the timing of hazelnut harvest. Nutrient-rich soil can lead to earlier and more abundant nut production, while poor soil may delay nut maturation.
In addition to these factors, it’s important to pay attention to the nuts themselves to determine when they are ready for harvest. Once the first hazelnuts have dropped from the tree limbs, it is time to pick the remaining ones. If clusters can be pulled from the bushes easily, they are ready to harvest.
Identifying When Hazelnuts Are Ready To Harvest
To identify when hazelnuts are ready to harvest, look for loose nuts in their husks. The timing of the harvest can vary depending on the variety of hazelnut tree or bush, as well as climate and soil conditions. Generally, hazelnuts ripen and fall from the trees between late August and October.
If the clusters can be pulled from the bushes easily, they are ready to harvest. However, if the husks are 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. On the other hand, 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.
It’s important to harvest the nuts 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, while in others, it may not be until they are brown and dry. Remember to check for unripe nuts around Independence Day and start checking them toward the end of July and into August.
Hazelnut bushes usually produce their first nuts in their fourth year, but they won’t reach full nut production until year nine or later. Expect your first crop to be small, but after a couple of seasons, the bounty will grow! A mature tree can produce 25 pounds of nuts in one season and will continue to produce for about 50 years.
When harvesting hazelnuts, remember to forage sustainably so that plenty of nuts are left for wildlife. Also, make sure to remove the hard outer shell before eating. Hazelnuts can be roasted, eaten as a spread or used in a number of baked goods.
Techniques For Harvesting Hazelnuts
Harvesting hazelnuts is a straightforward process that requires little effort. As the nuts ripen, they will naturally fall from the tree over the course of approximately six weeks. When you see that the nuts are starting to drop, you can facilitate the process by gently shaking the tree limbs to loosen the nuts from their perches.
To collect the nuts, you can simply gather them from the ground below. It’s recommended to place tarps under the trees to collect them once they fall, or simply rake them into a pile. If you have a large hazelnut orchard, you may consider using harvest nets to make the process even easier and more efficient.
Once you’ve collected the nuts, you’ll need to crack them open to access the delicious kernels inside. There are two methods for cracking hazelnuts: compression cracking and impact cracking. Compression cracking involves squeezing the nut until the shell cracks, while impact cracking involves throwing the nut against a hard surface to crack the shell.
It’s important to note that cracking hazelnuts can produce a mix of whole kernels, split kernels, half-cracked nuts, and shell fragments. To maximize whole kernel crack-out, it’s best to separate split kernels from shell fragments as much as possible.
In terms of timing, it’s recommended to pick hazelnuts when the husks are turning brown in September/October. However, different varieties of hazelnut trees may ripen at different times depending on their position and how much sun they receive. Some may ripen as early as late August/early September. It’s best to err on the early side to avoid losses to animal predation.
If you do pick hazelnuts early, they will continue to ripen off the tree if you have somewhere to air dry them. The same applies to foraging if you want to get there before they are all gone. Just make sure to store them in a well-ventilated and mouse-proof location until completely dry.
Preparing Hazelnuts For Consumption
After harvesting the hazelnuts, they must be dried for storage. It’s best to wait until the clusters are dry before removing the nuts from the bracts. Spread them out in a single layer on trays or screens in a warm, dry place out of the sun. Turn them every few days until the outer bracts are easy to remove. This process should take about two to four weeks.
Once the outer bracts are removed, the nuts can be shelled or stored in the shells. To speed up the drying process, you can dry them in a dehydrator set to 90-105°F for one or two days. In the shell, they can be stored at room temperature for several months. Shelled hazelnuts should be eaten within a few weeks, or they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a year.
It’s important to note that to increase their shelf life, you should wait to process them until just before use. Hazelnuts are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, including baked goods, salads, and sauces. They can also be eaten raw as a snack.
When consuming hazelnuts, it’s essential to remove the hard outer shell before eating. Hazelnuts are a great source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making them an excellent addition to any diet. However, it’s important to remember to forage sustainably so that plenty of nuts are left for wildlife. If you’re looking for a source of ripe nuts that are likely safer from hungry squirrels, you could consider buying your own hazel trees or purchasing hazelnuts from a reputable source.
Storing Hazelnuts For Longevity And Freshness
Once you’ve harvested your hazelnuts, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and longevity. Hazelnuts are prone to going rancid due to their natural oils, so it’s essential to keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
If you’re buying hazelnuts in bulk, make sure to purchase them from a store with high product turnover and avoid any nuts that smell rancid, are discolored, or have signs of mold or moisture. When buying hazelnuts in the shell, choose ones that are slightly heavy and have an intact shell that’s glossy with a dark reddish-brown color. Avoid hazelnuts that have signs of cracks or holes on the shell. Shake them to gauge their freshness – if you hear rattling, it’s an indication that the nut has lost moisture and may not be fresh.
For maximum freshness, store your hazelnuts in a sealed container. If you’re using shelled hazelnuts, consider storing them in the freezer to extend their shelf life. Hazelnut oil is also widely available in stores and has a strong flavor, so use it sparingly. Opt for containers that are sealed tightly and made of colored glass or tin to prevent exposure to light.
If you’ve harvested hazelnuts that still have their husks on, allow them to post-ripen for a week or two in conditions of high humidity but with adequate light and air circulation. Once they’re ready, remove the husks and spread the nuts out in a well-ventilated (but mouse-proof) location until completely dry. This will help prevent mold growth and ensure that the nuts stay fresh for longer.
In summary, storing hazelnuts properly is crucial for maintaining their freshness and longevity. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and consider freezing shelled hazelnuts for extended shelf life. If you’ve harvested hazelnuts with their husks on, allow them to post-ripen before removing the husks and drying them in a well-ventilated location. With proper storage, your hazelnuts can last for several months or even up to a year.
