The Variety
A REVOLUTIONARY VARIETY:
Unrivaled Productivity and Early Maturity
Unrivaled Productivity and Early Maturity Tonda Francescana® is a true breakthrough in modern hazelnut cultivation, standing out first and foremost for its exceptionally early entry into production.
Unlike traditional varieties, which take several years to produce significant yields, Tonda Francescana® bears fruit 1 or 2 years earlier.
This allows growers to quickly recoup planting costs and reduce the time waiting for the orchard to enter into full production.
Once in full production, Tonda Francescana® proves to be a formidable commercial ally: it has a significantly higher yield than the average for other cultivars, guaranteeing consistent abundant harvests over time and extremely high profitability per hectare.
FRUIT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE:
The real biological strength of this variety lies in its extremely short fruit development cycle.
This natural “rush” offers three enormous strategic advantages for the farmer:
Late flowering, a natural defense against late frosts:
budding and flowering occur in the mid-late season.
This delay is a perfect natural defense that allows the plant to escape late spring frosts, which can compromise the yield of other varieties with earlier budburst.
Early ripening and harvest during the dry season:
the fruits ripen early, as early as the second half of August. Harvesting during this period means being ahead of the late summer and early autumn rains. The fields remain fully accessible for machinery, and the quality of the hazelnuts is preserved.
Less Time for Diseases and Adverse Weather:
fruit growth occurs in record time.
By reducing the time window during which hazelnuts are exposed to adverse conditions, the risks associated with harmful insects (such as stink bugs or nut weevils) and fungal diseases are drastically reduced, limiting the need for chemical treatments.
THE NUT:
The Confectionery Industry’s Dream
In addition to its performance in the field, the Tonda Francescana® variety shows excellent characteristics during processing, possessing the quality requirements that perfectly meet the strict standards of the global confectionery industry.
High Shelling Yield:
it has an optimal shell/kernel weight ratio, with a shelling yield ranging from 46% to 48%. This means minimal waste and a very high percentage of usable fruit.
Excellent Peelability:
after roasting, the inner skin (perisperm) peels off extremely easily and completely, leaving a clean kernel, a crucial factor for the production of chopped nuts, pastes, and spreads.
Superior Sensory Profile:
its flavor is excellent on the palate, characterized by an intense, clean, persistent aroma, typical of hazelnuts of the highest quality.
Long Shelf Life:
the balanced chemical composition of this hazelnut and the stability of its internal oils make it highly resistant to rancidity. Once dried, it can be stored and kept for long periods without losing its flavor and aroma, facilitating logistics and marketing.
