Foraging for wild nuts can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires some knowledge and patience. Beaked hazelnuts, in particular, can be tricky to harvest as they ripen at a different time than most other nuts.
If you’re wondering when the best time to pick beaked hazelnuts is, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that determine when these nuts are ripe and ready to be harvested.
From drying and burying techniques to roasting and making hazelnut butter, we’ll cover everything you need to know about harvesting and enjoying this delicious nut.
So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into the world of beaked hazelnuts.
When Are Beaked Hazelnuts Ripe
Unlike other nuts that are harvested in the fall, beaked hazelnuts should be harvested in the summer. Typically, you should start harvesting the nuts in late July. Waiting until after the summer will likely result in most beaked hazelnuts being harvested by animals.
As hazelnuts ripen, their beaked husks will turn from a moist bright green to a dry brown. The hazelnuts themselves are usually ripe by September or October, but if you wait until then to harvest, you will probably find the bushes already picked clean by squirrels and birds.
To ensure you get your fair share of beaked hazelnuts, pick them early and finish ripening them indoors. The best time to harvest is from late August until mid-September, or as soon as you see squirrels and birds picking away at your crop.
Introduction To Beaked Hazelnuts
Beaked hazelnuts, also known as Corylus cornuta, are a type of shrub that produces delicious and nutritious nuts. These nuts are native to North America and can be found in various regions, including Northern and Central California, western Washington and Oregon, Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Michigan, New York, all of New England, and pretty much the entire Appalachian Mountain Range.
Beaked hazelnuts usually grow near streams or on roadsides and have a typical leaf pattern with toothed edges. The leaves are also fuzzy and alternate along the stem. The male flowers, called catkins, can also be seen on the plant.
Unlike other nuts that are harvested in the fall, beaked hazelnuts should be harvested in the summer. The nut sheath, called an involucre, should be mostly green with patches of color ranging from rosy red to brown. It is important to start scoping out for unripe nuts around Independence Day and start checking them toward the end of July and into August.
Beaked hazelnuts can be difficult to extract from their pinchy involucres. It is best to dry them as described for American hazels or rot them as Sam Thayer does. Once the nuts are free of involucres but still within their shells, they should be dried in the sun for about a week for long-term storage.
The Anatomy Of Beaked Hazelnuts
Beaked hazelnuts, also known as Corylus cornuta, are a type of hazelnut that grow in the central and eastern United States. These nuts are encased in a beaked husk, which is made up of bracts that enclose the developing fruit. The husk has a beak-like point, which is where the name “beaked hazelnut” comes from.
The nuts themselves are small and hard-shelled, with a slightly pointed end. They are typically harvested in late July or early August, before they have fully ripened. As the nuts ripen, the husks will turn from a moist bright green to a dry brown color.
Beaked hazelnuts are monoecious plants, meaning they have both male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are soft-yellow catkins that dangle off the tips of leafless branches, while the female flowers are tiny feathery clusters of red stigmas that are few and often difficult to see. Due to their timing and structure, they are pollinated by wind, not insects.
Beaked hazelnuts grow on multi-stemmed woodland shrubs or small trees, with soft-green, saw-toothed, velvety leaves that adorn arching branches. In autumn, these leaves turn a glowing yellow or gold color.
In terms of taste and texture, beaked hazelnuts are similar to other types of hazelnuts. However, they can be more difficult to extract from their pinchy involucres. It is recommended to dry them as described for American hazels or rot them as Sam Thayer does by burying them in wet soil for a month.
Factors That Determine Ripeness
There are a few factors that determine the ripeness of beaked hazelnuts. Firstly, the husks of the hazelnuts will change color from green to brown as they ripen. This is a good indication of when to harvest the nuts. Additionally, the nuts themselves will become loose inside their husks when they are ripe, making them easier to remove.
It is important to note that beaked hazelnuts should not be left on the bush for too long after they have ripened. If left too long, they may fall to the ground and become susceptible to damage or be eaten by animals. Therefore, it is best to harvest them as soon as they are ripe.
Another factor to consider is the weather. Hazelnuts typically ripen in September or October, but this can vary depending on the climate and location. In California, for example, beaked hazelnuts ripen in high summer, which is earlier than in most other places.
Signs Of Ripe Beaked Hazelnuts
There are a few signs that can help you determine when beaked hazelnuts are ripe and ready to harvest. First, look for the nut sheath, called an involucre, to be mostly still green but with patches of color ranging from rosy red to brown. The beaked husks should also be dry and brittle to the touch.
Another indicator of ripe beaked hazelnuts is that the papery outer covering starts pulling back from the nut. This is a sign that the nuts have grown to full maturity and are safe to eat.
It’s important to note that ripe beaked hazelnuts are smaller than typical store-bought hazelnuts, but they are still delicious. To ensure that you have enough beaked hazelnuts for yourself and wildlife, harvest them early and leave a few clusters on the tree.
Remember to forage sustainably and avoid over-harvesting the beaked hazelnuts in your area. By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the delicious taste of ripe beaked hazelnuts in your favorite recipes or as a healthy snack.
Harvesting Techniques
When harvesting beaked hazelnuts, it is important to look for the nut sheath, called an involucre, which is mostly still green but with patches of color ranging from rosy red to brown. This is an indication that the nuts are ripe and ready for picking.
To harvest the nuts, simply pull entire clusters off the bush. If you like, you can pick the nuts out of the involucres right away, but it is much easier to remove them if you first allow the clusters to dry. Spread them out in a dry place, and after several days, the nuts will be easy to pluck.
To make sure that the nuts are good and dry for long-term storage, put the nuts, free of involucres but still within their shells, out in the sun for about a week. You can put them on an old screen set on a wheelbarrow to ensure good air circulation while the nuts dry.
Beaked hazelnuts are more difficult to extract from their pinchy involucres. Do not try to remove them before the involucres have been dried or rotted. Dry them as described for American hazels or rot them as suggested by Sam Thayer by burying them in wet soil for a month, during which time the involucres soften so that the fuzz is no longer pinchy.
If you choose to dry rather than rot the involucres, it is recommended that you wear gloves while removing them to avoid getting a lot of little spines stuck in your hands. Both species of hazelnut are delicious, but ease of husk removal is a decision maker for many people.
Storing Beaked Hazelnuts
After harvesting your beaked hazelnuts, it is important to store them properly to ensure that they last for up to three months. There are two methods for storing beaked hazelnuts, depending on the climate in your area.
If you live in a dry climate, dry the nuts in a ventilated area for 2-4 weeks. Place the nuts in a sack or crate in a dry place like a garage. Over this time, the nuts inside of the involucre (the leaves surrounding the nut) should dry out. Once they are completely dry, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
However, if you live in a damp area, bury the nuts under wet soil for a month instead of drying them. This will remove the prickly spines and cause the involucres to rot. After a month, carefully peel off the leaves from the nut and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Remember to wear gardening gloves when handling beaked hazelnuts as they are covered with small spines on the leaves surrounding the nut that can stick to your hands and cause discomfort. By following these steps, you can enjoy your beaked hazelnuts for up to three months after harvesting.
