Chieftain^® Wild Rice Company

ALMONDS, WHOLE

Description:

The Almond tree is native to North Africa, West Asia and the Mediterranean but now are grown primarily in California.  Almonds are known as nuts but are botanically a fruit, the ancestor of fruits that have large stones for seeds, such as nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots.The Almond has a tough greenish-gray hull that looks like a small, oval peach, when mature, this hull splits open, revealing the Almond shell which encases the nut.There are two types of Almonds:  sweet and bitter.The sweet Almond has a delicate and slightly sweet flavor and is used in desserts and confectionery items. Bitter Almonds are cheaper and easier to grow but have a strong flavor and contain Prussic Acid, which is lethal. When the bitter Almond is heated, the toxicity is destroyed. Almonds may be used in confectionery, made into drinks, tossed in salads, used in stuffing, cereals and trail mixes. 

Suggested Use:

Almonds, whether they are used in fragrant pastries or savory entrees, add eye appeal, texture and nutrition to whatever dish they are in. For sweet temptations and unique entrees try some of these recipes:  Almond crostata, Almond date bars, Almond raisin bread, Almond sherbet, Almond rice pudding, date and Almond crusted rack of lamb, grilled pork chops Romesco,  crab cakes with white Almond gazpacho, Almond chicken pot pie, Almond crunch breading or Almond chicken salad sandwich.  Almonds may be used in cheesecake, stir-fry, biscotti, breads, tarts, soups. cakes, cookies, mousse, tortes and granola.