Hazelnut trees of Can Burguès (Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana)

The Can Burguès hazelnut groves are a prime example of traditional agricultural landscape and organic farming, where hazelnut cultivation is part of an activity that combines experience, respect for nature, and a commitment to quality. This farm dedicates approximately 26 hectares to hazelnut cultivation ( Corylus avellana ), distributed across different plots with trees of varying ages and varieties.

One of the unique features of Can Burguès is the coexistence of hazelnut trees over fifty years old with much more recent plantings, such as those established in 2017. This diversity reflects the evolution of the crop and the desire to keep agricultural activity alive through the progressive replacement of older trees with more productive varieties.

Among the cultivated varieties, the Negret hazelnut stands out, representing approximately half of the hazelnut trees on the farm. This variety is highly prized for its intense flavor and culinary qualities, especially when consumed roasted, as a snack, or in desserts. Other varieties that contribute to pollination are also cultivated.

A significant moment in the farm's history came in 2004, when Can Burguès began its conversion to organic farming. After three years of adaptation, in 2007 it obtained its first certified organic harvest, demonstrating its commitment to environmentally friendly production focused on obtaining high-quality hazelnuts.

This farming system avoids the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, promoting soil conservation, biodiversity, and beneficial fauna. It also excludes genetically modified organisms and encourages the responsible use of natural resources and energy.

The hazelnut groves of Can Burguès thus represent a way of understanding agriculture that unites tradition, sustainability, and food quality. An agricultural landscape that allows us to appreciate the importance of the farmers' work and discover the effort behind a product as deeply rooted in Catalan gastronomy as the hazelnut.