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Product Guide#Hazelnuts#Pistachios#Storage#Calibre#Aflatoxin
Hazelnut and Pistachio Buying Guide: Size, Processing and Storage
Türkiye is the world leader in hazelnut production and the homeland of the Antep pistachio. Choosing the right product in these two valuable nuts, however, requires knowing many details, from size to processing type.
Key takeaways
- Hazelnut size is the diameter in mm: 9–11, 11–13, 13–15.
- Natural, roasted and blanched options are chosen according to use.
- Storage and vacuum packing are critical for high-oil nuts.
- Antep pistachios are small but intensely aromatic.
Choosing hazelnut size
| Size | Characteristic | Ideal use |
|---|---|---|
| 13–15 mm | Large, impressive kernels | Snacks, premium retail |
| 11–13 mm | Balanced size, most common | Chocolate, pralines, confectionery |
| 9–11 mm | Small, economical | Chopped, paste, hazelnut spread |
Natural, roasted, blanched
- Natural: Unprocessed kernels with skin. For manufacturers doing further processing.
- Roasted: Aroma intensifies, texture becomes crunchy. For snacks and confectionery.
- Blanched: Skin removed after roasting; a clean look for chocolate and patisserie.
Antep pistachio: small kernel, big aroma
The Antep pistachio is a small but extremely aromatic variety native to Southeastern Anatolia. Its distinct green kernel is prized in baklava and traditional desserts, ice cream and chocolate. Goldland Food supplies Antep pistachios in-shell, natural or roasted-salted.
If colour is critical for you (e.g. ice cream, patisserie), request a sample before ordering to assess the kernel colour.
Storage and shelf life
Because of their high oil content, hazelnuts and pistachios are sensitive to oxidation. Cool (ideally below 10 °C), dry storage away from sunlight is essential. Vacuum packing reduces contact with oxygen and markedly extends freshness.
Packing options
For hazelnuts we offer everything from 200 g retail packs to 5, 10, 12.5, 20 and 25 kg cartons; for Antep pistachios, 5, 10 and 25 kg cartons. Vacuum or non-vacuum packing is possible for both.
With nuts, freshness is synonymous with quality — which is why the right packaging and storage matter as much as price.
— Goldland Food
Sources & regulations
- UNECE Standards DDP-03 / DDP-04 – inshell hazelnuts / hazelnut kernels
- UNECE Standard DDP-09 – inshell pistachio nuts
- Regulation (EU) 2023/915 – maximum levels for contaminants
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Prepared with the field experience of our sales, quality and logistics teams.
