Gevuiana avellana
Other names: avellano chileno, chilean hazel, chilean hazelnuts
Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)
Gevuina avellana, also known as avellano chileno, chilean hazel or Chilean hazel, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to South American Chile and neighbouring Argentina. It reaches a height of 2 to 20 metres and is characterised by its lance-shaped leaves in compound leaflets and white flowers grouped in racemes. The fruit produced by Gevuina avellana is very similar to the hazelnut, from which it gets its English name - chilean hazel, Chilean hazelnut.
The fruits of the Gevuina avellana tree are mainly consumed in local cuisine. The roasting process is used to make peanut butter or nut creams, similar to the popular Nutella. They are also added to various baked products such as brioche and muffins. They are also used to produce oil, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and is popular for its antioxidant properties. It is thanks to these properties that this oil is also used in the cosmetics industry as part of various creams, balms and serums. Gevuina avellana is a versatile plant whose fruits have a wide range of uses, especially in the food and cosmetic industries.