Member Profile

<< back to list of Members

AUSTRALIAN GOURMET HAZELNUTS
Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts, Mudgee, is developing a new rural industry based on a unique premium variety of hazelnut that was bred in Australia. Hazelnuts are a perfect source of important nutrients for human health and world supply cannot meet growing demand.



Growing hazelnuts profitably is not simple. Hazelnuts were the dominant plant species in the Northern Hemisphere at the end of the last Ice Age and they flower in the middle of winter. Adaptations to cold and up to 28 ‘sex’ genes mean successful nut production cannot be a hit and miss affair. Some hazelnut varieties produce low value nuts of poor taste and keeping quality, or kernels that have thick skins or will not blanch.



Clem and Vanessa Cox, reproduce trees of their premium variety and sell them to commercial growers with compatible pollinizers. After four or five years, the Coxes buy back the nuts, value add the kernels and sell to discerning nut lovers and high end users.



Visitors will see flowering in the Coxes 3,000 tree grove and discover the pitfalls of hazelnut production. Learn about the nutritional benefits of regular hazelnut consumption, taste freshly cracked hazelnut and receive complimentary hazelnut recipes.

Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts can be purchased from Mudgee Gourmet, Mudgee Visitors Centre, Farmers Daughter Wines and Sweetness the Pattisserie, Epping.  SMG Growers Market Pyrmont, 1st Sat/month; Eveleigh Farmers Market 2nd Sat; Mudgee Farmers Market 3rd Sat; Bathurst Farmers Market 4th Sat. Phone orders accepted:- 02 6372 3224

FARMWALK DIRECTIONS: From the town clock. Proceed in the direction of Gulgong along Market Street until the houses stop and the road becomes Castlereagh Highway. The last building on the right is Cudgegong Valley Motel. Turn right into Putta Bucca Road immediately after the motel. Radio Station 2MG is on your left on the corner. Turn left into the second gateway on the left. Drive toward the green compound and park. If you miss the gateway and reach the river, you have gone too far.		A bright future for Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts
Tiny nuts develop in November	An 80yr old hazelnut tre

Australian Gourmet Hazelnuts welcomes visitors and tours of the hazelnut by appointment only. (02) 6372 3224 or e-mail  hazelnuts@hwy.com.au. Address: 21 Putta Bucca Road, Mudgee, NSW  2850.

For information on hazelnut kernel products, health benefits of regular hazelnut consumption, growing your own hazelnut trees or growing to supply us – please visit our web site www.gourmethazelnuts.com.au