What is the Difference Between Hazelnut and Walnut

The main difference between hazelnut and walnut is that hazelnuts are the round brown hard-shelled nuts of the trees of genus Corylus while walnuts are the wrinkled edible nuts of the trees of genus Juglans.

Hazelnuts and walnuts are two of the most widely consumed nuts in the world. Both are rich in nutrients and have numerous health benefits.

Key Terms Covered

1. What is Hazelnut 
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Walnut
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Hazelnut and Walnut
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Hazelnut, Nuts, Walnut

What is Hazelnut

Hazelnuts are the round brown hard-shelled nuts of the hazel plant. We use the name hazelnut to refer to nuts coming from the species of the genus Corylus, especially the nuts of the species Corylus avellana. We also use the names cobnut or filbert nut to refer to hazelnuts; these names differ according to species. What we call hazelnuts is actually the kernel of the hazel seed. It is edible, and can be used raw, roasted, or even ground into a paste. Hazel seed has a thin and dark brown skin – we sometimes remove it before cooking. Furthermore, hazelnuts are rich in monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, protein, manganese, and various other nutrients.

There are numerous uses of hazelnuts in the food industry. We mainly use it for baking and desserts. Sometimes, hazelnuts are used to make chocolate truffles, praline and chocolate bars. It’s also an ingredient in muesli. Hazelnuts are a major ingredient in the Nutella spread and Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Moreover, the oil obtained from hazelnuts have a strong flavour and is used as a cooking oil. World’s largest producer of hazelnuts is Turkey.

What is Walnut

Walnuts are edible nuts with a wrinkled shape and a hard round shell that is light brown in colour. They are nuts obtained from any tree of the genus Juglans. Majority of walnuts in the market come from China and California. There are different varieties of walnuts; however, black walnuts and English Walnuts are the most common varieties.

Walnuts are seeds of drupes, so they are not true botanical nuts. However, they are commonly consumed as nuts. Moreover, walnuts have a tough shell, and the inner meat (the meat inside the shell) looks like a tiny brain and has a sweet taste. They can be eaten raw, or you can use them in food like bread, cakes and other dishes, after shelling. But you have to shell them using a nutcracker. You can use chopped walnuts on a salad, oatmeal or yoghurt. Roasted walnuts can be a good addition to vegetable dishes, pasta, wraps, and granola while ground walnuts taste good in scones, desserts, dips and sauces.

Difference Between Hazelnut and Walnut

Definition

Hazelnuts are the round brown hard-shelled nuts of the trees of genus Corylus while walnuts are the wrinkled edible nuts of the trees of genus Juglans.

Appearance

While hazelnuts have a round hard shell that is brown in colour, walnuts have a wrinkled shape and a hard round shape.

Nutrients

Hazelnuts have more carbohydrates and dietary fibres than walnuts while walnuts have more calories, proteins, and fats than hazelnuts.

Uses

Moreover, hazelnuts are mainly used for baking and making desserts. They are used to make chocolate truffles, praline chocolate bars, and muesli, and are a major ingredient in the Nutella spread and Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Walnuts also have multiple uses; chopped walnuts can be used on a salad, oatmeal or yoghurt. Roasted walnuts can be a good addition to vegetable dishes, pasta, wraps, and granola while ground walnuts taste good in scones, desserts, dips and sauces.

Conclusion

Hazelnuts are the round brown hard-shelled nuts of the trees of genus Corylus while walnuts are the wrinkled edible nuts of the trees of genus Juglans. Thus, this is the main difference between hazelnut and walnut. Hazelnuts have more carbohydrates and dietary fibres than walnuts while walnuts have more calories, proteins, and fats than hazelnuts.

Reference:

1. “Hazelnut.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2020, Available here.
2. Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “What Are Walnuts?” The Spruce Eats, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “74362” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Two English Walnuts edit” By Fir0002 at English Wikipedia (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia