Hazelnuts are among the world’s most sought-after tree nuts, prized for their rich, creamy flavor and versatile use across confectionery, bakery, dairy, and snack industries. However, not all hazelnuts are the same. The form, grade, and processing level of hazelnut kernels determine their ideal use, shelf life, and market value.

At Tamila Agrifood, we specialize in exporting premium Iranian and Turkish hazelnut kernels to clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, offering a wide range of varieties tailored to industrial, retail, and private-label buyers.

This guide will help importers, wholesalers, and manufacturers understand the main types of hazelnut kernels—whole, halved, chopped, and roasted—and how to choose the right one for their business.

1. Whole Hazelnut Kernels: The Premium Standard

Whole kernels represent the top grade of hazelnuts, characterized by intact shape, smooth texture, and natural aroma. These kernels are often sized and sorted according to diameter (typically 11–14 mm) and are free from cracks, defects, or discoloration.

Applications:

•    Chocolate bars and pralines (Ferrero-style confections)

•    Premium snack mixes and roasted nut blends

•    Coated or enrobed chocolate products

Advantages:

•    Highest aesthetic and sensory appeal

•    Maximum oil content retention

•    Preferred by premium brands

Tamila Agrifood supplies whole hazelnuts in both raw and roasted forms, vacuum-packed or nitrogen-flushed to preserve freshness during long-distance shipping.

2. Halved Hazelnut Kernels: Balanced Quality and Value

Halved kernels result from natural breakage during shelling or intentional cutting to meet production requirements. Despite being smaller than whole nuts, they maintain excellent flavor and nutritional value.

Applications:

•    Bakery fillings, ice cream toppings, or nougat centers

•    Roasted nut assortments

•    Ingredient for chocolate coatings or granolas

Benefits for importers:

•    More affordable than whole kernels

•    High demand in food processing industries

•    Available in both raw and roasted options

Tamila Agrifood classifies halved kernels by uniform size, color, and cleanliness, ensuring minimal dust and consistent product appearance—perfect for industrial-scale buyers.

3. Chopped Hazelnut Kernels: Versatile and Industry-Focused

Chopped or diced hazelnuts are processed to precise particle sizes (usually 2–4 mm, 4–6 mm, or 6–8 mm) depending on client needs. They are produced from high-quality whole or halved kernels through clean, food-safe cutting systems.

Applications:

•    Bakery toppings, cookies, and pastries

•    Cereal and muesli blends

•    Ice cream and yogurt inclusions

•    Energy bars and protein snacks

Advantages:

•    Easy to mix with other ingredients

•    Cost-efficient for large-scale production

•    Customizable particle size and roasting degree

Tamila Agrifood’s industrial-grade chopped hazelnuts undergo metal detection, optical sorting, and moisture control testing before packaging—ensuring safe, residue-free shipments that meet EU and Middle Eastern food regulations.

4. Roasted Hazelnut Kernels: Enhanced Flavor and Aroma

Roasted hazelnuts are the result of careful dry roasting that unlocks the natural sweetness and nutty depth of the kernel. Roasting not only enhances flavor but also extends shelf life by reducing moisture content.

Tamila Agrifood offers various roasting profiles to match your market preference:

•    Light Roast: Soft texture and delicate aroma (ideal for chocolate inclusion)

•    Medium Roast: Balanced crunch and color (best for bakery and retail snack packs)

•    Dark Roast: Deep flavor intensity (preferred in coffee, spreads, and gourmet blends)

Applications:

•    Ready-to-eat snacks and trail mixes

•    Roasted nut blends and packaging lines

•    Flavored or salted hazelnut snacks

Each roasted batch is lab-tested for moisture, peroxide value, and aflatoxin compliance before export—meeting the food safety standards of EU, FDA, and GCC markets.

5. Understanding Hazelnut Grading: From Raw to Finished Product

Grading determines the visual, physical, and sensory quality of hazelnuts. Common international grades include:

•    Extra Class / Grade A: Whole, uniform size, minimal defects (<5%)

•    Grade B: Slightly broken or smaller kernels, ideal for processing

•    Industrial Grade: Used for pastes, powders, or chopped applications

Tamila Agrifood’s quality control team ensures every batch is laser-sorted, hand-checked, and packaged according to international buyer specifications.

6. Choosing the Right Type for Your Market

Depending on your target audience and industry, here’s a quick guide to selecting the most suitable hazelnut type:

Market Type    /   Recommended Kernel Type   /   Notes

Premium Confectionery    /   Whole or Lightly Roasted    /   Best for chocolates and truffles

Bakery & Pastry   /    Halved or Chopped    /    Great for doughs, cookies, and toppings

Snack & Retail     /    Roasted Whole or Halved    /   Ideal for packaged nuts

Industrial Food Processing    /    Chopped or Paste-Grade   /   Cost-effective and easy to mix

By tailoring the form and roast level to your product line, importers can optimize both cost and customer satisfaction.

7. Tamila Agrifood: Your Global Partner in Premium Hazelnuts

As a trusted B2B supplier of hazelnut kernels, Tamila Agrifood offers full traceability from farm to shipment, with integrated quality control, ISO-certified processing, and custom packaging solutions.

Our clients include manufacturers in:

•    Europe (Germany, Italy, Netherlands)

•    Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)

•    Africa (Egypt, Morocco, South Africa)

Whether you require raw whole hazelnuts, industrial chopped grades, or roasted snack-ready varieties, we deliver consistent quality, timely logistics, and transparent pricing.

Conclusion: Every Hazelnut Grade Has Its Purpose

The diversity of hazelnut kernel varieties allows buyers to match their exact production or retail needs—whether emphasizing appearance, taste, texture, or price efficiency.

From whole kernels for premium chocolate makers to finely chopped nuts for bakeries and cereals, Tamila Agrifood provides the right grade, certification, and packaging solution to help your brand grow globally.

Partner with Tamila Agrifood; Where quality meets reliability in every shipment of hazelnut kernels.

Contact us today to request a quotation or discuss your ideal specification for wholesale hazelnut supply.

Email:  tamilaagrifood@gmail.com

WhatsApp for Quotations & Inquiries:  +989141858935