We've introduced a new Organic Specialty Oil from our Eugene-based Production team. We've taken the best Organic Hazelnuts—grown on multi-generational family farms in Oregon—and we lightly roast them here at Hummingbird, then run the nuts through a mechanical press to squeeze the oil out of them. The resulting oil is amazing.
And don't just take our word for it. The Good Food Foundation stands behind it. "For a long time, certifications for responsible practices and awards for superior taste have remained distinct – one honors social and environmental responsibility, while the other celebrates craftsmanship and flavor. The Good Food Awards recognizes that truly good food – the kind that brings people together and builds strong, healthy communities – contains all of these ingredients." And just as we introduced our Hazelnut Oil, it was judged to be a 2021 Good Food Award Winner in the Specialty Oils category. We are celebrating!
This is an exciting addition to our updated 8.5 oz line of specialty organic oils, which also includes our award-winning Oregon-grown Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil and Toasted Sesame Oil. These oils make a great addition to any kitchen pantry and to your retail set.
Organic Roasted Hazelnut Oil adds a rich, earthy hazelnut flavor to any dish. Suitable for medium-high heat: Perfect for sautéing, baking pastries or cookies, dipping, blending into a dressing, drizzling on a finished dish, or as a special treat in coffee drinks or on ice cream.
Jim Birkemeier of Meridian Orchards when he certified his Hazelnut farm Organic.
Hummingbird Wholesale is on a mission to increase Organic acreage and strengthen local food systems. One way we’re doing it is by supporting Oregon Organic hazelnut farmers and encouraging more regional eaters to give these delicious nuts a try. Oregon offers the perfect climate and soil for growing these delectable nuts that are well-known by chefs and product manufacturers, as well as lovers of good food. While 99% of the US hazelnut crop is grown in Oregon, only 1% of that is certified Organic—of roughly 80,000 total acres in Oregon, just over 700 are Certified Organic. We supply Oregon-grown (Willamette Valley), certified Organic Hazelnuts available from Deerhaven Farms, Meridian Orchards, and other Organic Hazelnut growers in the Pacific Northwest. The sales of these hazelnuts provide a fair return to farmers, and a portion of the sales goes toward supporting Oregon’s nascent Organic Hazelnut industry in the Willamette Valley and to increasing Organic acreage in the Pacific Northwest.
Expeller pressing is a mechanical method for extracting oil. The roasted nuts are squeezed under high pressure in a single step. This produces an unrefined oil that we filtered only lightly to remove large particles. The flavor, color and fragrance of this unrefined oil is more intense than in refined oils. It is also more nutritious and has a slightly shorter storage life.