Bhutan’s Secret: The World’s Most Exquisite Hazelnuts
Discover Bhutan’s hidden gem: the world’s most exquisite hazelnuts grown at the highest orchards on Earth. Sustainably farmed, rich in flavour, and nurtured with Himalayan care—these nuts are transforming lives and cultivating conscious indulgence.
Imagine a kingdom where snow-capped peaks pierce the clouds, monasteries cling to cliffsides, and farmers talk to trees as if they were their own children. Welcome to Bhutan, a land of mysticism, untouched landscapes, and now, the unlikely birthplace of the world’s most extraordinary hazelnuts! Nestled in the planet’s highest-altitude and southernmost hazelnut orchards, these nuts are not just a crop. They’re a revolution in sustainable luxury.
Innovation in the Himalayas: Bhutan's Rise as a Hazelnut Producer
In 2009, a bold idea took root: planting 10 million hazelnut trees across Bhutan’s vertiginous slopes. Spearheaded by Mountain Hazelnuts, a social enterprise and the nation’s first 100% foreign direct investment, this venture was never just about agriculture. It was a brave experiment in private enterprise, inclusive development, and sustainability. Farmers in the remote east, who had never seen or tasted a hazelnut, were the first ones to plant the free saplings by the thousands.
But nature, as ever, had its own timeline. Early setbacks—stubborn species, delayed harvests—tested resolve. Today? Over 8,000 families across 19 of Bhutan’s 20 districts tend to orchards that yielded more than 10 tonnes of nuts last year. The company’s nursery alone houses almost a million saplings, making it one of the world’s largest.
Why These Hazelnuts Are the Caviar of Nuts
“Categorically better than anything I’ve tasted,” declares Bill Yosses, former White House pastry chef. “Larger, sweeter, robust.” The secret? Bhutan’s clean air, and nutrient rich soils and pristine water. But dig deeper, and you’ll find magic in the human touch. Farmers here don’t just grow trees, they nurture them. “I walk among the trees and sometimes sing to them,” laughs one grandmother in Mongar, her hands cradling a hazelnut flower.
Certification is pending, but the proof is in the palate: a buttery richness with a crunch that echoes the Bhutanese mountains themselves.
For the Curious Traveler: A Hazelnut Pilgrimage
Mountain Hazelnuts makes it possible to visit any hazelnut orchard in the 19 districts. Visit in spring, when mountain slopes buzz with planting rituals, or autumn, when rice harvests paint valleys gold. Trek through orchards where farmers welcome you into their lives and homes with suja (butter tea) and roasted hazelnuts.
Get in touch with MICE Bhutan for tailor-made agro-tourism experiences, orchard visits, and immersive community engagements.
From Orchard to Your Palate
In Thimphu, Yiga Chocolates crafts velvety bars where single-origin hazelnuts melt seamlessly into rich dark chocolate. Bhutan Growers’ artisanal hazelnut oil, meticulously crafted in small batches, vanishes from shelves almost as swiftly as it arrives. Soon, you’ll find yourself sipping hazelnut-infused coffee at local cafés!
Take a Piece of Bhutan Home
Find these delicious hazelnuts in minimalist 200g packets at CSI Markets in Thimphu, Paro, or Phuentsholing. Or dare to explore: Mountain Hazelnuts seeks partners as bold as their vision. (Yes, they will answer your email—[email protected].)
Bhutan’s hazelnuts are more than a snack. They are a metaphor for a nation balancing ancient wisdom with modern ambition. Every bite supports farmers, forests, and a future where development means leaving the world better than you found it.
This feature is a part of the Brand Bhutan series to promote Bhutanese entrepeneurs.
