Some pairings need no introduction. Hazelnut and chocolate are one of them. Yet behind this classic combination lies an ingredient that can turn an everyday recipe into a truly indulgent experience. Toasted, blended into praline, or gently roasted, hazelnut still has plenty of surprises in store.
Hazelnuts grow on the hazel tree, a shrub native to Europe that is now found in many temperate regions. It thrives in mild climates and produces small fruits with a hard outer shell that protects the familiar hazelnut inside.
Turkey is the world’s leading hazelnut producer. The regions along the Black Sea offer particularly favorable growing conditions, making the country a key player in the industry.
02 · Nutrition
The Nutritional Benefits of Hazelnuts
Beyond their indulgent flavor, hazelnuts offer valuable nutritional benefits.
Fatty Acids
Unsaturated Fatty Acids
Hazelnuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which help maintain normal cholesterol levels when they replace saturated fats in the diet.
Vitamin E
Cell Protection
Hazelnuts also provide vitamin E, which helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Fiber & Minerals
Supporting Body Functions
Their fiber, magnesium, and manganese content contributes to the body’s proper functioning, including muscle function and energy metabolism.
This nutritional information refers to hazelnuts, the nuts described in this article.
Hazelnut is a staple in chocolate and confectionery, where it pairs with cocoa, milk chocolate, or caramel to create pralines, filled chocolates, and indulgent spreads.
02
Bakery & Cookies
In bakery products and cookies, its rounded, toasted notes enhance cookies, loaf cakes, cakes, and pastries.
From toasted notes and caramelized accents to fruity freshness, hazelnut offers a range of pairings for exploring different indulgent flavor profiles.
05 · Indulgent Ideas
Explore Indulgent Ideas That Showcase Hazelnut
Raspberry & Hazelnut Cake
A soft cake with rich hazelnut notes and a tart raspberry center. A pairing that plays on the contrast between rounded flavors and fruity freshness.
Iced Ube & Hazelnut Latte
Inspired by Asian trends, this purple iced beverage combines the sweetness of ube with the indulgent flavor of hazelnut.
Hazelnut & Praline Ice Cream
Creamy ice cream with roasted hazelnut notes, a melting praline center, and crunchy hazelnut pieces. A recipe that combines sweetness, flavor intensity, and contrasting textures.
06 · Product Launches
A Selection of Product Launches
Cookies, ice cream, chocolate bars, syrups, and coffee beverages: five examples launched in October 2026.
Ore Liete
Cocoa Cookies with Hazelnut Filling
Company
Tedesco
Brand
Ore Liete
Market
Slovakia
Launch
October 2026
Magnum Crackables
Hazelnut-Flavored Ice Cream with White Chocolate, Almond, Pistachio, and Hazelnut Inclusions
Company
Magnum ICC Europe
Brand
Magnum Crackables
Market
Poland
Launch
October 2026
Twix
Twix Hazelnut-Flavored Chocolate, Cookie & Caramel Bar
Company
Mars Wrigley Confectionery
Brand
Twix
Market
France
Launch
October 2026
Le Sirop de Monin
Hazelnut Barista Syrup
Company
Monin
Brand
Le Sirop de Monin
Market
Brazil
Launch
October 2026
Starbucks
Hazelnut- and Caramel-Flavored Protein Coffee Beverage
Company
Arla Foods
Brand
Starbucks
Market
Spain
Launch
October 2026
07 · FAQ
Your Hazelnut Questions Answered
Where do hazelnuts come from?
Hazelnuts grow on the hazel tree, a shrub native to Europe that is now found in many temperate regions. It thrives in mild climates and produces small fruits with a hard outer shell that protects the familiar hazelnut inside. Turkey is the world’s leading hazelnut producer. The regions along the Black Sea offer particularly favorable growing conditions, making the country a key player in the industry.
What flavor notes characterize hazelnut?
The article explores toasted, praline, and gently roasted hazelnut profiles. It highlights rounded, toasted notes in bakery products and cookies, as well as roasted notes in coffee and beverages.
What products use hazelnut?
Hazelnut is used in chocolate and confectionery, bakery products and cookies, ice cream and dairy desserts, as well as coffee and beverages.
What sweet pairings work with hazelnut?
The pairings featured are chocolate and cocoa, caramel, coffee, raspberry, pear, and orange.
What indulgent ideas are featured?
The article features three ideas: a raspberry and hazelnut cake, an iced ube and hazelnut latte, and hazelnut and praline ice cream.
Which product launches are featured?
The five October 2026 examples are Ore Liete cookies in Slovakia, Magnum Crackables ice cream in Poland, a Twix bar in France, Le Sirop de Monin barista syrup in Brazil, and a Starbucks protein coffee beverage in Spain.
As a Marketing Assistant at Metarom, I conduct market studies, analyze consumer trends, and write content focused on flavoring solutions and key challenges for food industry professionals. My goal is to decode market developments to support product innovation.
