Synonyms: Ronde du Piemont, Tonda Gentile del Piemonte.
Tonda Gentile delle Langhe is the main hazel variety grown in the Piedmont area of northern Italy.
The tree is moderately vigorous with a semi-erect open tree form.
Pollen is shed very early but flowering is late.
Bud burst is early.
The husk is slightly longer than the nut and nuts fall free of the husk.
It is susceptible to bacterial blight and very susceptible to big bud mites.
Tonda Gentile delle Langhe has only moderate to low yields.
Nuts are medium to small, round with many trilobal in shape.
Kernels have a light to moderate fibre cover but blanch well.
There are often a high proportion of mouldy kernels.
Percent kernel 39 – 42%.
TGDL is highly valued by the chocolate industry because of its small round kernel, excellent blanching ability and excellent flavour (Bergoughoux et al, 1978).
However it has not performed well in New Zealand.
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