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Hazelnut vs. Acorn — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Hazelnuts are the edible nuts from hazel trees, while acorns, the nuts of oak trees, serve as food for wildlife.
Hazelnut vs. Acorn — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Hazelnut and Acorn

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Key Differences

Hazelnuts are the nuts of the hazel tree and are round to oval in shape, with a hard shell that needs to be cracked to reveal the edible seed inside. Acorns, the fruit of oak trees, are distinguished by their unique shape, featuring a smooth nut encased in a rough cupule. Both are types of nuts but belong to different species of trees and have different uses and cultural significances.
While hazelnuts are widely cultivated for their sweet-tasting seeds that are used in a variety of culinary applications, acorns are rarely eaten by humans in modern diets and are often associated with wildlife food. Hazelnuts are commonly found in confections, such as chocolates and pralines, or ground into a paste for spreads, whereas acorns are traditionally processed into a flour or meal after leaching out their bitter tannins.
Hazelnuts have been a commercial crop for centuries, known for their distinctive flavor and health benefits, including high levels of protein and healthy fats. Acorns, although once a staple food for indigenous peoples and still used in some traditional dishes, are more commonly recognized today as a symbol of autumn or as forage for animals such as deer and squirrels.
In terms of nutritional content, hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E and B, and are a good source of minerals like magnesium and copper. Acorns, on the other hand, contain large amounts of tannins, which can be toxic in high amounts but are reduced by processing. They are also nutritious, providing fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
In folklore and symbolism, the hazelnut is often associated with wisdom and inspiration, while the acorn is commonly seen as a symbol of strength and potential, reflecting the towering oak tree it can grow into. Despite both being nuts, their role in history, cuisine, and culture are distinctly different.
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Comparison Chart

Botanical Family

Betulaceae (birch family)
Fagaceae (beech family)

Culinary Use

Common in confectionery and spreads
Rarely eaten; used in traditional dishes

Shape

Round to oval
Oval with a cap (cupule)

Symbolism

Wisdom and inspiration
Strength and potential

Cultural Significance

Widespread commercial cultivation
Historical food source, now mostly for wildlife

Compare with Definitions

Hazelnut

A sweet-flavored nut from the hazel tree.
She sprinkled chopped hazelnuts on the chocolate cake.

Acorn

The nut of the oak tree, typically with a rough cap.
The forest floor was littered with acorns in the fall.

Hazelnut

A rich source of vitamins and minerals among nuts.
His diet included hazelnuts for their high vitamin E content.

Acorn

An important food source for wildlife such as deer and squirrels.
Squirrels gather acorns for their winter stash.

Hazelnut

The fruit of the genus Corylus, particularly the species Corylus avellana.
Hazelnuts are harvested in the fall, just like apples.

Acorn

(nautical) A cone-shaped piece of wood on the point of the spindle above the vane, on the mast-head.

Hazelnut

Often ground into a paste for use in spreads like Nutella.
She preferred hazelnut-based spreads over peanut butter.

Acorn

Contains tannins that are leached before human consumption.
They soaked the acorns in water to remove the bitterness.

Hazelnut

The hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel 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 according to species.

Acorn

Symbolizes potential, as it can grow into a large oak tree.
The acorn is a motif in many stories about growth and development.

Hazelnut

The edible nut of a hazel, having a hard smooth brown shell. Also called filbert.

Acorn

The acorn, or oaknut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives (genera Quercus and Lithocarpus, in the family Fagaceae). It usually contains one seed (occasionally two seeds), enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule.

Hazelnut

See hazel.

Acorn

The fruit of an oak, consisting of a single-seeded, thick-walled nut set in a woody, cuplike base.

Hazelnut

The fruit of the hazel tree.

Acorn

The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody cup or cupule.

Hazelnut

The nut of the hazel.

Acorn

(zoology) See acorn-shell.

Hazelnut

Any of several shrubs or small trees of the genus Corylus bearing edible nuts enclosed in a leafy husk

Acorn

The glans penis.

Hazelnut

Nut of any of several trees of the genus Corylus

Acorn

A testicle.

Hazelnut

Used in flavored syrups for coffee and baking.
Hazelnut syrup gives a nutty aroma to lattes.

Acorn

The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody cup or cupule.

Acorn

A cone-shaped piece of wood on the point of the spindle above the vane, on the mast-head.

Acorn

See Acorn-shell.

Acorn

Fruit of the oak tree: a smooth thin-walled nut in a woody cup-shaped base

Acorn

Historically used by indigenous people for making flour.
Acorn meal was once a staple in Native American diets.

Common Curiosities

Do hazelnuts grow on trees?

Yes, hazelnuts grow on hazel trees, which are shrubs or small trees of the genus Corylus.

What is an acorn?

An acorn is the nut of an oak tree, characterized by its hard shell and cap-like cupule.

Why do you have to leach acorns?

Leaching removes the bitter tannins in acorns, making them more palatable and safe for consumption.

What dishes use hazelnuts?

Hazelnuts are used in pastries, chocolates, spreads, and as a crunchy topping for various dishes.

What does an acorn look like?

Acorns are oval nuts with a smooth surface, usually encased in a textured cupule or cap.

Can you eat acorns?

Acorns can be eaten if processed to reduce tannins, but they are not commonly consumed today.

Where are hazelnuts most commonly grown?

Hazelnuts are widely grown in Turkey, Italy, and the United States, among other countries.

How do you identify a hazelnut tree?

Hazelnut trees have rounded leaves with double-serrated edges and produce nuts encased in a fibrous husk.

Can hazelnuts be eaten raw?

Yes, hazelnuts can be consumed raw or roasted to enhance their flavor.

What is a hazelnut?

A hazelnut is the nut of the hazel tree, often eaten raw, roasted, or used in cooking.

Are hazelnuts good for you?

Yes, hazelnuts are nutritious, high in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

What animals eat acorns?

Many animals, including deer, squirrels, and birds, eat acorns.

Are hazelnuts used in any health remedies?

While not a remedy, hazelnuts are part of healthy diets due to their beneficial fat, fiber, and vitamin content.

What is the difference in taste between a hazelnut and an acorn?

Hazelnuts have a sweet, rich flavor, while raw acorns are bitter due to tannins but become mild after processing.

Are acorns used in any modern cuisine?

Acorns are occasionally used in specialty dishes or as a flour alternative in some health foods.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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