Product types
- Natural (raw) hazelnut kernels
- Mechanically blanched kernels
- Hand-picked premium grades
- Organic kernels on request
Raw & Blanched Hazelnut Kernels
Premium Turkish hazelnut kernels from the Black Sea region, supplied as natural (raw) and blanched kernels calibrated by size, defect tolerance and moisture. Designed for chocolate, roasting, bakery, pastry, spreads, breakfast and industrial ingredient applications.
Key facts at a glance
Atlas Hazelnuts offers raw and blanched kernels as a core building block for chocolate, confectionery, snack and bakery products. Lots are specified for caliber, moisture, defect tolerances and packaging suited for long-distance export.
Typical uses
- Whole nut inclusions in chocolate
- Roasted snacking & nut mixes
- Input for chopping, slicing & meal
- Retail and private label packing
Supply format
- Bulk export from Türkiye
- Containerized sea freight
- FOB, CFR and selected DAP terms
- Multi-pallet and full container loads
Close-up of calibrated Turkish hazelnut kernels with controlled moisture and defect levels.
Technical specifications
Detailed specifications for raw and blanched hazelnut kernels can be adjusted per buyer requirements, especially for high-volume programs and long-term contracts.
Calibers / size grading
- 9–11 mm · standard industrial grade for chopping and paste production
- 11–13 mm · most common size for chocolate and general use
- 13–15 mm · premium size for whole nut chocolate and retail packs
- 14–16 mm / 15+ mm · special, limited availability on request
- Mixed calibers · can be supplied for certain industrial uses
Physical & chemical parameters (typical)
- Moisture: 3–5% (depending on grade & origin)
- Shell: 0% (kernels only)
- Foreign matter: Nil
- Damaged / shriveled kernels: ≤ 2–4% depending on specification
- Dark / stained kernels: individual tolerance agreed per application
- Peroxide value, free fatty acids: controlled according to usage and shelf life needs
Microbiological guidelines (indicative)
- Total plate count: as per industrial standards / buyer requirements
- Yeasts & moulds: controlled according to storage and shelf life
- Pathogens (Salmonella, etc.): absent in 25 g according to food safety regulations
- Aflatoxins: lots available with certified test results on request
Exact microbiological limits and testing plans are aligned with the buyer’s quality team and destination country regulations.
From orchard harvest to calibrated, packed kernels ready for export
Blanched kernels
Origin, varieties and supply model
Atlas Hazelnuts works primarily with Türkiye’s Black Sea region, the world’s most established hazelnut-growing area. The region’s climate, soil structure and know-how provide a stable base for long-term hazelnut sourcing programs.
Black Sea origin kernels
Tombul & other cultivars
Traceable supply lines
Family orchards & co-ops
Key cultivars
- Tombul: benchmark Turkish cultivar with high oil content, smooth flavor, widely used in chocolate & spreads.
- Foşa, Çakıldak & others: used depending on harvest, flavor profile and buyer preferences.
Sourcing & sustainability
- Partnerships with established processors and exporter groups.
- Combination of smallholder orchards and modern cracking facilities.
- Opportunities for long-term volume planning and seasonal contracting.
- Traceability documentation available for demanding markets and audits.
Main hazelnut-growing zones along Türkiye’s Black Sea coastline, supplying kernels to
processors and exporters.
Applications & formulation roles
Raw and blanched kernels can be used directly or as an intermediate input for roasting, chopping, slicing, milling and paste production. They are a versatile base for both indulgent and better-for-you product concepts.
Chocolate & confectionery
Whole kernels for bars, pralines and tablets. Premium calibers are often used as visible inclusions, while standard calibers are preferred for covered or enrobed products.
Roasting & nut mixes
Raw kernels for in-house roasting lines or third-party roasters. Suitable for savory snacks, nut mixes and flavored hazelnut concepts.
Bakery & pastry
Input material for chopping, slicing and milling into meal and flour used in cakes, cookies, croissants, tarts and premium pastry items.
Spreads & pastes
Base material for hazelnut paste and praline production, later used in spreads, fillings, gelato, desserts and breakfast creams.
Breakfast & cereals
Kernels and processed formats for granolas, muesli, breakfast toppers and better-for-you snack concepts.
Plant-based & nutrition
Ingredient base for nut drinks, plant-based “milks”, protein bars and functional foods where hazelnut flavor is desired.
From premium chocolate inclusions to bakery toppings and plant-based concepts, raw and
blanched kernels are a core ingredient across categories.
Packaging, logistics & shelf life
Raw and blanched kernels are packed to protect product quality from origin to destination, taking into account transit time, climate and handling conditions at the target port.
Standard packaging
- 25 kg vacuum-packed bags in cartons or on pallets
- 50 kg polypropylene (PP) bags for certain markets
- Big bags (500–1000 kg) for industrial cracking / further processing
Shipping & Incoterms
- FOB: main Turkish ports (Black Sea / Marmara)
- CFR: key global destinations on request
- DAP: available for selected markets via partner logistics
- Integrated support with documentation and inspections
Shelf life & storage
- Typical shelf life: 12–24 months depending on packing & storage
- Store in cool, dry, odor-free environment away from direct sunlight
- Detailed storage recommendations can be added to your specification sheet
Bulk industrial packaging options, including vacuum-packed bags and big bags, can be
aligned with transit route and storage conditions.
Quality, documentation & buyer checklist
Each program can be supported with documentation suited to your market, auditors and internal quality procedures.
Quality & food safety
- Processed in certified plants (e.g. food safety schemes recognized by GFSI)
- Quality control at reception, processing and packing stages
- Optional third-party inspection (SGS or similar) at loading
Documentation
- Commercial invoice, packing list
- Certificate of Origin
- Phytosanitary and health certificates
- Laboratory analysis reports on request
Buyer checklist
- Required calibers and formats (raw / blanched)
- Target defect and moisture tolerances
- Destination port and preferred Incoterms
- Annual volume and shipment frequency
Ready to define your specification?
Share your existing specification sheet, or describe your current raw kernel usage (product type, country, typical caliber, packing and QA expectations). We will respond with a tailored offer based on Turkish origin.
Planning your next raw hazelnut kernel program?
Send us your specifications, annual volume and target ports. We will prepare a tailored offer from Türkiye.