Varieties

Barcelona

This is the primary variety traditionally grown in the Pacific Northwest. Due to challenges with blight, acreage is slowly decreasing as they are replaced with new hazelnut varieties. Despite challenges with filbert blight, there are many healthy and productive orchards important to the industry.

Use: Traditionally sold in-shell to Asian countries for Chinese New Year
Harvest Time: Mid-October
Crackout: 39-43%
Kernel Weight: 1.2 g
Blanching Score: 4-5

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Ennis

Known for their large grade and oblong nut shape, Ennis is a favorite of many. It is the most well-known Daviana hazelnut variety, but there are other old varieties such as Gem and Royal that classify as Ennis in sorting. Unfortunately, they are highly susceptible to blight which is causing a decrease in acreage.

Use: Sold in-shell as a specialty counterpart to Barcelona as these are the largest hazelnuts in existence
Harvest Time: Mid-October
Crackout: 38-41%
Kernel Size: 1.6 g
Blanching Score: 3-4

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Jefferson

The most widely-planted variety in the Willamette Valley, Jefferson was intended to be the in-shell market substitute for Barcelona as it is blight-resistant. Jefferson’s in addition to blight-resistance brought more consistent yields to Oregon hazelnut production compared to the historic alternate-bearing crops. (OSU Variety, 2009)

Use: Bred to be a replacement variety for Barcelona given its resistance to EFB, used widely for kernels as well as in-shell.
Harvest Time: Mid to Late October
Crackout: 41-46%
Kernel Size: 1.3 g
Blanching Score: 4-5

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Dorris

In a blind taste test done by OSU researchers, Dorris was unanimously found to have the best flavor profile. Since Dorris kernels don’t fill their shell as tightly as other kernel varieties, they are one of the best for blanching as well. (2011)

Use: Kernel variety coveted for its flavor and blanching
Harvest Time: Early October
Crackout: 40-43%
Kernel Size: 1.2 g
Blanching Score: 2-3

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Yamhill

Yamhill orchards are the most easily decipherable in Oregon. They are the trees that stay low to the ground and whose canopies spread like umbrellas. Yamhill nuts are much smaller on average, which puts them in the perfect size category for European kernel markets. They are also praised for their oil content. (OSU Variety, 2008)

Use: Kernel variety with a preferred size and flavor profile
Harvest Time: Late September to Early October
Crackout: 43-46%
Kernel Size: 0.8 g
Blanching Score: 5

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McDonald

Another favorite for its flavor, McDonald nuts have a very consistent size and shape which is ideal for processing. Additionally, McDonald has the highest crackout of any new, blight-resistant variety. The trees are very high yielding and vigorous. (OSU Variety, 2014)