Hazelnut butter is a
food spread made from crushed and blended
hazelnut
The hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel tree and therefore includes any of the nuts deriving from species of the genus '' Corylus'', especially the nuts of the species '' Corylus avellana''. They are also known as cobnuts or filberts accordi ...
s. More commonly found in Europe, hazelnut butter is also familiar when mixed with chocolate as an ingredient in
chocolate spread
Chocolate spread is a sweet chocolate-flavored paste which is eaten mostly spread on breads and toasts or similar grain items such as waffles, pancakes, muffins, and pitas.
Although it tastes, smells, and looks like chocolate, it does not s ...
s. Hazelnut butter is available in both crunchy and smooth varieties, and can be made from either raw or roasted hazelnuts.
Hazelnut butter is high in natural fats and susceptible to oil separation, so it should be stirred before use to distribute the oils evenly and refrigerated after opening to slow re-separation and prevent spoilage.
Nutritional information
Hazelnut butter is high in
monounsaturated fats, particularly
oleic acid, shown to play a role in reducing the adverse effects of
low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hazelnut butter is also a good source of
dietary protein and
vitamin E.
Raw food enthusiasts believe the butter made from unroasted hazelnuts possesses greater nutritional value and more beneficial
enzymes, both of which would otherwise be destroyed in the roasting process. Some also advocate that butter prepared from raw hazelnuts should remain refrigerated both before and after opening to minimize
oxidation
Redox (reduction–oxidation, , ) is a type of chemical reaction in which the oxidation states of substrate change. Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in the oxidation state, while reduction is the gain of electrons or a ...
and
rancidity.
Hazelnut butter can be used in dishes that call for
peanut butter
Peanut butter is a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It commonly contains additional ingredients that modify the taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers. Peanut butter is consumed in many countri ...
, and as an alternative for those with
peanut allergies
Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy to peanuts. It is different from tree nut allergies, because peanuts are legumes and not true nuts. Physical symptoms of allergic reaction can include itchiness, hives, swelling, eczema, sneezing, asth ...
. Hazelnut butter contains more than twice as much
vitamin E as peanut butter and is higher in cholesterol-reducing monounsaturated fat.
See also
*
List of spreads
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hazelnut Butter
Nut and seed butters