RESULTS OF THE COMMERCIAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF HAZELNUTS, GROWN IN THE CONDITIONS OF BELARUS

Abstract

The assessment study of commercial quality of hazelnuts when brought to a consumer was conducted in 2020–2021 in the Department of storage and processing of RUE “Institute of Fruit Growing”. The objects of research were the fruits of 5 varieties of hazelnuts (Barcelona, Catalan, Cosford, Lal and Yashma), grown
 in the experimental garden of the Department of fruit crop breeding of the RUE “Institute of Fruit Growing”. As results of the study have determined the varieties of hazelnuts surveyed are of high quality according to standardized indicators: sufficient kernel yield in the range of 35.7–48.5 %, large nuts (from 3.2 to 4.2 g) and kernel size and uniformity. In terms of the overall commercial quality indicators hazelnut fruits of Lal and Yashma varieties have been distinguished. The kernel yield for the Lal variety totalled 43.8 %, for the Yashma variety – 48.5 %. The fruits of these varieties are optimally developed and do not exceed the permitted values in terms of humidity content, which does not require additional processing (drying) when brought to the consumer.