06 Nov Hazelnut and Its History
Hazelnut and Its History
Many writers, naturalists, and historians have put forward different opinions about the homeland of hazelnut. Archaeological excavations prove that hazelnut was a part of the diet in the years 10000 B.C. According to the Chinese written sources, it is said that the hazelnut, stated to be cultivated in China in 2838 B.C., was one of the five sacred fruits.
In his book named Herodotus History, the great historian of Antique Age, Herodotus (490-425 B.C.) states that hazelnut was grown in the east of the Black Sea, and also describes how the oil of hazelnuts was extracted in the Antique Age. The way in which hazelnut oil is produced by putting fruits in a bag and squeezing them is similar to the methods used to obtain oil from olives and hazelnuts in the countryside today.
Hazelnut fruit used to be eaten by people in ancient times and its nutritional value was appreciated. Hazelnut was present on the tables of rulers from time to time and later became a symbol of wealth and abundance with the increase and expansion of trade in the Mediterranean region.
Hazelnut has been so common in human life that it is mentioned in literature, dictionaries, travel books, and even medicine from past to present. In this way, hazelnut has become one of the indispensable products of the humanity.
Turkey has a highly important place in the world in terms of hazelnut exportation today. 70-75% of world’s hazelnut production is obtained from Turkey, while the rest of it is produced in Italy, Spain, and the USA.
Benefits of Hazelnut
• ● Being a natural source of minerals such as iron, copper, potassium and zinc, hazelnut also contains healthy fats that protect the heart.
● Regular hazelnut consumption reduces cholesterol by the rate of 27%.
● With its best-known characteristics, eating some hazelnut daily gives energy and increases sexual power.
● With its high vitamin B6 content, hazelnut increases the speed and efficiency of electrical signals in the brain and strengthens the nerves.
● With its fiber, protein, and healthy fat composition, hazelnut provides long-term fullness and prevents desire of overeating.
● As hazelnut helps to improve hormonal balance, it is a food which people who want to become mother and have fertility can consume safely.
● When the before and after values of breastfeeding mothers was examined by researchers in a study, it has been proved that hazelnut increases the quantity of breast milk and contributes to breast milk to be more nutritious.