Hazelnut vs. Walnut — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
Hazelnuts are small, round nuts from the Corylus tree, sweet-flavored; walnuts are larger, brain-shaped nuts from the Juglans genus, with a bolder taste.
Difference Between Hazelnut and Walnut
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hazelnuts are the fruit of the hazel tree and are small, round, and typically encased in a smooth, hard shell. They are known for their sweet and slightly buttery taste. Walnuts, however, are larger nuts that originate from several different species within the Juglans genus and have a rough, wrinkled appearance, resembling the human brain. Their flavor is richer and more earthy compared to hazelnuts.
When it comes to their culinary uses, hazelnuts are often used in confectioneries, chocolates, and baked goods due to their sweet flavor. Walnuts have a more robust flavor, making them suitable for both sweet and savory dishes. They are commonly found in salads, baked bread, and are also eaten on their own as a snack.
Nutritionally, both hazelnuts and walnuts are rich in energy, packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, walnuts have a higher content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid, which is beneficial for heart health. Hazelnuts contain a higher amount of vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant.
The shells of hazelnuts are smooth and can be cracked easily compared to walnut shells, which are much harder and require a nutcracker to open. This difference in the shell's toughness reflects the nuts' resilience to environmental conditions where they grow.
Hazelnuts are primarily harvested in Turkey, which is the largest producer of hazelnuts in the world. Walnuts have a broader range of production, with China and the United States being major producers. The global distribution of these nuts highlights the diversity in their cultivation and popularity.
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Comparison Chart
Shape
Small, round
Large, irregular, brain-like shape
Taste
Sweet, buttery
Rich, earthy
Culinary Uses
Confectionery, chocolates, pastries
Salads, breads, snacks
Nutritional Content
High in vitamin E, healthy fats
High in omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats
Shell
Smooth, relatively easy to crack
Hard, requires a nutcracker to open
Primary Growing Regions
Turkey
China, United States
Compare with Definitions
Hazelnut
Hazelnuts are often used in spreads and pastries.
Hazelnut gelato is my favorite dessert.
Walnut
Walnut is a rich, meaty nut known for its distinctive brain-like shape.
Walnuts add a nice crunch to salads.
Hazelnut
Hazelnut is a sweet-flavored nut from the Corylus tree.
She sprinkled chopped hazelnuts on her chocolate cake.
Walnut
Walnuts are valued for their omega-3 fatty acid content.
Eating walnuts is good for heart health.
Hazelnut
Hazelnuts are a key ingredient in many chocolates.
The hazelnut truffles were absolutely divine.
Walnut
Walnuts are used in a variety of culinary dishes.
Her homemade banana bread was filled with chunks of walnut.
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.
Walnut
A walnut is the nut of any tree of the genus Juglans (family Juglandaceae), particularly the Persian or English walnut, Juglans regia. A walnut is the edible seed of a drupe, and thus not a true botanical nut.
Hazelnut
The edible nut of a hazel, having a hard smooth brown shell. Also called filbert.
Walnut
The large wrinkled edible seed of a deciduous tree, consisting of two halves contained within a hard shell which is enclosed in a green fruit.
Hazelnut
See hazel.
Walnut
The tall tree which produces walnuts, with compound leaves and valuable ornamental timber that is used chiefly in cabinetmaking and gun stocks.
Hazelnut
The fruit of the hazel tree.
Walnut
Any of several deciduous trees of the genus Juglans, having pinnately compound leaves and fruits with a rounded sticky husk that encloses an edible seed with a hard shell.
Hazelnut
The nut of the hazel.
Walnut
The nut or corrugated seed of any of these trees.
Hazelnut
Any of several shrubs or small trees of the genus Corylus bearing edible nuts enclosed in a leafy husk
Walnut
The hard, dark brown wood of any of these trees, used for gunstocks and in cabinetwork.
Hazelnut
Nut of any of several trees of the genus Corylus
Walnut
A hardwood tree of the genus Juglans.
Hazelnut
This nut is rich in healthy fats and vitamins.
Hazelnuts are a tasty source of vitamin E.
Walnut
A nut of the walnut tree.
Hazelnut
The hazelnut is encased in a smooth, hard shell.
Cracking hazelnuts by the fireplace is a holiday tradition.
Walnut
Wood of the walnut tree.
Walnut
Dark brown colour, the colour of walnut wood.
Walnut
Having a dark brown colour, the colour of walnut wood.
Walnut
The fruit or nut of any tree of the genus Juglans; also, the tree, and its timber. The seven or eight known species are all natives of the north temperate zone.
Walnut
Nut of any of various walnut trees having a wrinkled two-lobed seed with a hard shell
Walnut
Hard dark-brown wood of any of various walnut trees; used especially for furniture and paneling
Walnut
Any of various trees of the genus Juglans
Walnut
This nut has a hard, wrinkled shell that is difficult to crack.
He used a heavy nutcracker to open the walnuts.
Walnut
The walnut tree is part of the Juglans genus.
They planted a walnut tree in their backyard for shade and nuts.
Common Curiosities
What is a hazelnut?
A hazelnut is a small, sweet nut from the Corylus tree, often used in desserts and chocolates.
Can you substitute hazelnuts for walnuts in recipes?
Yes, but it will change the flavor and texture of the dish.
Are walnuts good for health?
Yes, they are particularly good for heart health due to their high omega-3 content.
Are hazelnuts good for health?
Yes, they are high in healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Are hazelnuts used in any famous products?
Yes, they are a key ingredient in products like Nutella.
What are the environmental impacts of growing walnuts?
Walnut cultivation can be water-intensive and may affect local water resources.
Do hazelnuts have any cultural significance?
In some cultures, hazelnuts symbolize wisdom and inspiration.
What is a walnut?
A walnut is a larger, meaty nut with a distinctive shape, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and used in various foods.
How do you store hazelnuts?
Store them in a cool, dry place, or refrigerate to extend freshness.
Can people with nut allergies eat hazelnuts or walnuts?
No, people with nut allergies should avoid both.
Are hazelnuts and walnuts related?
Both are tree nuts, but they come from different botanical families.
How do you store walnuts?
Keep them in a cool, dark place, or refrigerate to prevent them from going rancid.
What's the best way to shell hazelnuts?
Apply pressure to the seam of the nut until the shell cracks.
What's the best way to shell walnuts?
Use a nutcracker to apply force evenly around the hard shell.
Do walnuts appear in any historical contexts?
Walnuts have been a valuable food source since ancient times and appear in historical texts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba 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.
