Description
Felah Alothman, Balsu USA. Presented at the 2013 conference
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana), also known as filbert nut, has been known as a sacred fruit mentioned in religion and history books, legends and folk songs.Wild hazelnut fruits were consumed in ancient times—they were aware of the hazelnut’s high nutritional value was realized. Hazelnuts have been consumed since at least 2838BC and have played an important role in mythology. According to Greek mythology, the hazelnut branch was the baton of Hermes, trade god, and was surrounded by a pair of snakes and converted everything to gold. In old Greek and Turkish cultures, hazelnut branches were a peace symbol. Physicians used nuts, shells and leaves of hazelnuts as a cure for diseases. The English and French were among those who believed in the holiness of hazelnut, adorning Noel dinner tables with hazelnut branches as a tradition. Hazelnuts have been considered as sacred fruit by Italians, too, and they gave saints’ names to hazelnut species.
