Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory Tour - Aurora, Oregon

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Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory Tour - Aurora, Oregon

If you are someone that loves candy and you are a fan of nuts then this tour will be something you certainly shouldn’t miss!

Located in Aurora this factory grew out of the desire to provide quality candy with the hazelnuts that are grown in the area.  The first hazelnut (filbert) tree was planted in Scottsburg, Oregon around 1857.  Then in 1876 David Genot, a Frenchman, ordered seeds from France that he planted and raised these first 50 plants in a hedgerow in the old country tradition.

With knowledge and science  the original nut has been developed through the years to fit the Pacific Northwest climate and cultivation.  With the development and understanding of the needs of the trees the area became the largest producer of hazel nuts grown in the United States, in fact, 98% of all hazel nuts come from the Willamette Valley in Western Oregon.

You can take the factory tour and see how the candies are made, whether they are roasted and seasoned or coated in chocolate.  You can also get almonds, walnuts, prunes and pretzels.  Their hazelnut toffee was developed in their own kitchen and something you will certainly want to taste.

The tour will show you the roasting of the nuts, then how the husks are removed.  Into the vats for the first coating of chocolate by being sprayed as they tumble in the drum, the second coat is applied while they move through on a conveyor type belt.  Once the chocolate is applied the candy goes to the cooler and then placed in the appropriate packages. 

You will get to see them make the Hazelnut Toffee which is cooked in copper kettles.  Once it is cooked to the right degree it is poured onto a cooling table where it stays until it is the right temperature for scoring.  Following the cooling process a little longer allows the candy to be cut into chunks and then broken into bite sized pieces.  Once this is done it is lined up for a wonderful chocolate bath!  Finally it is cooled and packaged to be delivered to you or a store near you.  You can buy the candies in the gift shop as well as at home!

For those that can’t have, or don’t want, sugar the factory also has sugar free varieties.

Hours: Monday – Friday 9 – 5 and Saturday 10 – 4

Location: 14673 Ottaway Ave., Aurora, Oregon 97002

Phone: 800-634-7344 or 503-678-2755