ALL ABOUT ALMONDS

Almonds grow on trees and, like many nuts, are actually the deshelled seed of the tree's fruit. The tree is related to the peach and the plum. They are lightly flavored - slightly sweet and buttery. All store-bought almonds are of the sweet variety - but there's a bitter variety as well that has trace amounts of cyanide that could lead to cyanide poisoning. The bitter almonds get processed to remove their toxicity and end up as almond oil for extracts and liqueurs.

Almonds are likely one of the earliest cultivated foods and their exact origin is unknown. Historians suspect they came from China and were carried by traders on the Silk Road. They now happily populate the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa.

Almonds are now grown on a commercial-scale throughout these regions, as well as in the state of California. The US grows 100% of its own domestic supply, as well as 70% of the world's almond supply. Almonds are America's 7th largest food export.

Get a glimpse of almonds from orchard to table - click here!

Almonds are an excellent source of Vitamin E - a 1 oz serving provides as much as 37% of your daily recommended intake. They are also great sources of biotin, magnesium, potassium, manganese and copper. Click here to read more on these vital nutrients.

Eat the whole almond! The skins contain over 20 antioxidant compounds that work together with Vitamin E for double the health benefit.

Almonds are also high in phytic acid - an antioxidant that binds to other minerals and prevents their absorption. This can be good or bad - toxic elements will get removed from your body, but too much phytic acid will leach iron, zinc, and calcium! It's best to consume all nuts, nut products, and nut butters in moderation.

AMYGDA-FACTOID:

"Amygdaloid" is a word that means almond-shaped - that's why the almond-shaped memory center in your brain is called the amygdala!

Almonds have a long shelf life, but they should still be kept in the fridge or freezer to avoid going rancid.

Check out our Guide to Making Nut Butters to make your own.
Suggested Flavor Pairings: matcha, rose, turmeric, vanilla, berries, cardamom, nutmeg, pumpkin, coffee, Earl Grey

THE BEST ALMOND BUTTERS

Justin's
Classic Almond Butter

This almond butter is moist and doesn’t dry and become paste-like like many others. It has a great smell like freshly roasted nuts. A very snackable almond butter – great for eating right off the spoon! A bit of texture and a surprising amount of flavor for NOT having any sugar and salt.
[Dry Roasted, Non-GMO]
Available online and at most major grocers.

Artisana Organics
Raw Almond Butter

This has a very pure & clean almond taste. I am always impressed with this brand and their use of raw nuts with a TON of flavor. Their sourcing must be incredible. It's pretty gritty, I'd say a "medium grind" rather than smooth. And amazingly no oil separation - quite thick.
[Raw, Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan]
Available online and at specialty grocers.

RX Nut Butter
Almond Butter

This is a borderline "superfood" almond butter with the extra egg white and date ingredients, but it's also just really tasty! A nice, smooth, simple, yummy almond butter. It's not too sweet, nor too salty.

Available online and at most major grocers.

THE BEST FLAVORED ALMOND BUTTERS

JEM
Superberry Almond Butter

One of my favorite small producers, based out of Oregon. The packaging is purple and that is totally the color it tastes like! The "superberries" all have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The flavor is tart, sweet, with a very slight bitter/herbal undertone that reminds me of tea. Extremely smooth and velvety because it is stone-ground, perhaps a bit cloying on the tongue. Smells amazing with a rich dark color. It’s complex and I actually just thought “Is it a nut butter or is it a jam??” It’s certainly fruity!
[Organic, Vegan, Sprouted]

Available online and at specialty grocers.

Maranatha
Vanilla Raw Almond Butter

This almond butter is so sweet! *heart eyes* It's got a chubby and smooth texture. I'd say quite salty. The vanilla is strong - definitely a "vanillin," not 100% natural vanilla - like a vanilla Oreo. What a nostalgic yum!
[Raw, Non-GMO]

Available at most major grocers.

RX Nut Butter
Vanilla Almond Butter

WOW, this tastes like all my favorite childhood vanilla cookies! I actually got so excited I spilled it all over my shirt – so BEWARE! The almonds are light and subtle and really makes the vanilla shine - a great flavor pairing. There's a little bit of texture – it makes one spoonful feel substantial and satisfying. But you’ll be hard-pressed to eat just one!! Very sweet in a very nostalgic way. If I had this whole jar to myself, it’d be a problem.
[Keto, Paleo]

Available online and at most major grocers.