Tonda di Giffoni is an Italian hazelnut variety grown in the Salerno province, near Naples. A medium-sized tree, resistant to bacterial leaf scorch and only slightly susceptible to bud mites. Female bud blooming and pollination occur in the middle of the season, making it an early and productive variety.
Tonda di Giffoni nuts have a round shape, with an average weight of about 2.5 g (including the shell) and a kernel yield of 44–47%. The skin is brown with a distinct strip, and the sides of the nuts are decorated with deep grooves. Kernels are usually round, sometimes ribbed, with light-colored fiber. Thanks to good blanching and high yield (3–3.5 tons/hectare), this variety is widely used in confectionery production, especially for making chocolate and candies.
To ensure successful cultivation, proper pollination is essential: female flowers of Tonda di Giffoni bloom earlier than male inflorescences. It is recommended to use both the main Tonda di Giffoni variety and an auxiliary variety like Mortarella (or other suitable varieties) to guarantee good pollination and maximum yield.
