Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are small, round nuts from the hazel tree native to Europe and Asia, known for their rich, buttery flavor. After harvesting, the nuts are dried and then cracked to remove the hard shell, revealing the edible kernel. Hazelnuts can be consumed raw, roasted to enhance their flavor, or ground into a paste. They are commonly used in culinary applications such as baking and confections (such as in pralines and chocolate spreads like Nutella).