Filberts

Filberts (or hazelnuts) are native to both the New World and the Old World. The two species of hazel trees indigenous to the United States are Corylus americana, which grows primarily in the East, and C. cornuta, which ranges from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The nuts of both were consumed by Native Americans and early European colonists. However, filberts from the New World are small, with thick shells, and inferior in quality; the nuts have little commercial value. The European hazelnut (C. avellana) is the source of most commercial nuts. Hazelnuts have been an important human food since prehistoric times. The ancient Romans praised them, and hazelnuts were grown in Britain in Roman times. The seeds were sent to Massachusetts in 1629, and filberts were being sold in New York City by 1771. Oregon leads the nation in hazelnut production. Filberts are enjoyed as snacks, and their sweetness is used to advantage in baked goods and other desserts, often in combination with chocolate.