Abstract: The essential nutrients of 43 hazelnut varieties including Corylus heterophylla, Corylus avellanas and their hybrids were analyzed. Hazelnut kernel contained 3.87%－9.51% water, 0.92%－2.03% starch, 12.66%－19.09% sugars in total, 29.22－68.57 mg/g protein, and 53.80%－63.33% fat content. All the nutrients of Corylus avellana are significantly different with those in Corylus heterophylla and hybrid hazelnuts. The contents of starch and total sugar in Corylus heterophylla and hybrid hazelnuts were significantly different. Three groups of hazelnuts were ranked in decreasing order of as follows: hybrid hazelnuts ＞ Corylus heterophylla ＞Corylus avellanas by water content, Corylus avellanas ＞ hybrid hazelnuts ＞ Corylus heterophylla by starch content, hybrid hazelnuts ＞ Corylus avellanas ＞ Corylus heterophylla by total sugar content, Corylus avellanas ＞ Corylus heterophylla ＞ hybrid hazelnuts by soluble protein content, and Corylus avellanas ＞ hybrid hazelnuts ＞ Corylus heterophylla by fat content.

Key words: hazelnut kernel, variety, nutrient composition