The husk is part of the structure of hazelnuts. The length of the husk may differ in different varieties of hazelnuts. Some husks are shorter and hug the nut tightly, while others may be longer and more loosely attached.
The importance of removing the husk from hazelnuts:
After harvesting, hazelnuts must go through the process of removing the husk. This step is extremely important for several reasons:
- Drying process: Hazelnuts covered with husks cannot be effectively dried using industrial dryers. Husk acts as a barrier, preventing normal airflow and drying.
- Processing: Husk interferes with calibrating, cracking, and sorting processes. In addition to reducing the efficiency and quality of processing, the husk has a lot of dust and creates a lot of debris in the hazelnut processing process, which contaminates the hazelnut kernel and the production facilities.
- Marketability: Nuts without a husk have a more attractive commercial appearance, which increases the likelihood of their purchase by customers and end consumers. Hazelnuts that have not been cleaned from the green husk are almost impossible to sell or will be purchased at a significantly reduced price.
Ways to remove scum in orchards:
In home gardens, the process of removing husks from hazelnuts can be manual, where each nut is cleaned individually. However, in large hazelnut orchards, manual removal becomes incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive. This is where industrial automation comes into play. The use of hazelnut cleaners, which are specialized machines designed to efficiently remove the husk, has reduced the number of workers and processing time of the hazelnut crop in the orchard. This allows you to perform all processes from harvesting to processing or sale on time, without delays, and with minimal costs in the payroll.
Hazelnut cleaners - the best automation:
Industrial hazelnut husk cleaners are designed for efficient and stable work with large volumes of hazelnuts. These machines use a combination of mechanisms, including airflow and rotating perforated drums, to effectively separate the husks from the nuts. The nuts are passed through a cleaner, where the husk is loosened and removed, leaving the hazelnut clean.
Removal of the husk promotes proper drying, improves processing capabilities, and improves the overall appeal of the hazelnut. In large nut orchards, the use of industrial hazelnut cleaners has become necessary for the efficient and automated removal of husks, allowing growers to deliver premium hazelnuts to consumers worldwide.