Hazelnut Oil

A strongly flavored oil, hazelnut oil has many uses; cooking, skin care, medicinal, you name it! To know all about this wonder oil, scroll down.

Hazelnut, also commonly referred to as a cobnut or filbert nut is power packed with nutrition not only used for cooking but also as an excellent skin care ingredient. Hazelnut oil is an oil extracted from the spherical to oval shaped cob using the cold pressed method. The hazelnut is an extremely valuable nut cultivated in Turkey, Europe, Iran and Caucasus, with Turkey being the main producer with nearly 75% of worldwide production. Hazelnut is also cultivated for commercial purposes in the two Northern American states; Oregon and Washington, and some parts of Canada.

Hazelnut Oil Uses

The hazelnut oil has a strong nutty aroma, and a light golden color, slightly darker than most vegetable oils. Oil extracted from roasted hazelnuts is a shade darker. Following are a few popular uses of this

Hazelnut Oil Salad Dressing & Cooking
A richly flavored oil, hazelnut oil enhances the flavor of fish and poultry dishes with its strong aroma. It can also be added while baking. As it has a high smoke point; 430°F, and the oil is also very high on saturated fats and calories; 16.1g and 1927 cal, respectively from just one cup, equivalent to 218.0 g, this oil is not meant for deep frying. Hazelnut is used more for the flavor it adds to the meals cooked.

Hazelnut oil used as a salad dressing can turn your boring salad into a delicious one. A popular ingredient oil for vinaigrette, hazelnut salad dressing is a favorite in France and many other European countries. For making your own salad dressing, choose hazelnut oil that has been expeller pressed. Not only will hazelnut oil add great flavor to food, but it carries plenty of health benefits too. Not just as a salad dressing, use this wonder oil over pasta with some cheese, or over grilled fish, chicken or meat.

Hazelnut Oil for Skin
A light oil, hazelnut oil has a high content of essential fatty acids like linoleic acid making it an excellent emollient and moisturizer. Being light it gets easily absorbed by the skin, and is especially used as a formulation for oil skin care products. Its astringent and antibacterial properties refines and closes pores, controls excess sebum and acne, all the while toning the facial skin by maintaining skin elasticity.

An excellent oil for body massages, hazelnut oil has rejuvenating properties, that aid in cell regeneration and strengthening of capillaries. Regular application controls free radicals, and smoothens and delays wrinkles. Used as an aromatherapy oil, it makes for a very effective carrier oil. Hazelnut oil is used in many skin care products such as creams, cleansing lotions, massage oil, soaps, and cosmetics.

Hazelnut Oil Health Benefits
A kernel of hazelnut contains nearly 60-70 % of oil, which consists of linoleic acid, essential proteins, vitamins (B1, B2 and B6), carbohydrates and beta-sitosterols. These nutrients are essential for proper blood formation, and aids in a child's physiological development. Consuming hazelnut, either in a nut or oil form keeps the heart healthy.

Try from one of the many easy hazelnut oil recipes for some amazing salad dressing recipe; two tbsp hazelnut oil tossed in a bowl of minced garlic (2 cloves), half a tsp of Dijon mustard and a couple of tablespoons of honey with a pinch of salt. Drizzle this over your salad, and enjoy the flavor!