Appreciating Almonds

Though we love enjoying almonds all year long, we’re taking an extra special moment for the versatile nut this month. National Almond Day on February 16 is a chance to appreciate the almond for its health benefits, delicate taste, and various uses in many foods and treats.

The nut is quite popular for its superb snacking potential in sweet or savory modes. It’s also easy to incorporate into meals and baked goods. Think garlic green beans topped with slivered almonds, crispy almond-crusted chicken, or sweet frosted cookies flavored with almond extract.

We offer several sizes of premium bulk almonds to ensure you’ll always have a plentiful supply for snacking, baking, cooking, and gifting!

Almonds are high in healthy fats and nutrients like fiber and magnesium. The U.S. FDA even suggests (but doesn’t prove) that “eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.” Learn more about the healthful elements of almonds here.

A Versatile Nut

Here at Superior Nut Company, we regularly enjoy almonds in many different ways. Its plain palette, crunchy texture, and wide variety of forms makes it one of the most versatile nuts. Almonds make themselves at home in sweet and savory dishes in several ways: They can be crushed, sliced, roasted, blanched, peeled, ground into flours, pureed into pastes and butters, blended and liquified into milk, and so much more! Almond milk has certainly grown in popularity and is now broadly available as a go-to dairy alternative.

We also love almonds as candy, whether they be covered in a layer of luscious chocolate or candy-coated with a sweet pastel sugar shell for traditional Jordan almonds. Superior Nut Company stocks several colors and shades of Jordan almonds in large batches or party favor bags—Perfect as an edible wedding favor or gift!

Different Types of Almonds

There are a few different types of almonds from almond trees distinct to various regions of the world, each with their own characteristics. For example, nonpareil almonds, which are archetypal of California, are firmer, larger, and have a thinner shell and skin than Marcona almonds, which grow in Spain. Most of the almonds enjoyed in the world (about 80%) come from California orchards. Different types of almonds are best for different uses, such as nonpareils as “snacking almonds.”

Any kind of almond is bound to add a nice crunch to a cooked dish or act as a filling foundation of an afternoon snack. Try a couple different types of almonds in a homemade trail mix alongside dried fruit and seeds, or roast and eat them on their own to fully recognize the individual flavors.

Cooking With Almonds

To celebrate National Almond Day on February 16, try something new when cooking with almonds. Crushed or slivered almonds can be added to a crust on a piece of protein like chicken or fish, to Asian curries, or sprinkled on a salad for an extra element of crunch and flavor. Cooking with almonds can be as simple as roasting the nuts with a small amount of avocado oil and seasonings for a quick savory or sweet snack. Or, go all out with a batch of pancakes using raw almond flour for a subtly nutty and gluten free brunch.

How to Bake With Almonds

Cooking with almonds easily extends to baking because of the versatility of almonds. You can use almond flour, almond extract, and raw almonds all in one dish via almond biscotti if you’re up for a bit of a challenge! Or, stay simple with the lone use of almond extract in a batch of crumbly almond cookies: the delicate, subtle yet concentrated flavor of the nut pairs perfectly with vanilla extract and brown butter in this easy almond cookie recipe by Lovely Little Kitchen.

Marzipan is another well known use of almonds and a basic basis to baking and cooking with almonds. The sweet treat made with almond flour or paste, sugar, and almond extract is used mainly to cover cakes or fill cookies.

Amass a Stash

There are many ways to appreciate almonds for National Almond Day in February. When you learn how to cook with them, you can easily incorporate the healthy nut into your diet regularly. They’re versatile enough to cook in several types of recipes, from full meals and small snacks to desserts and candies. Be sure to replenish your supply of almonds regularly with the various varieties offered by Superior Nut Company— The notable addition can’t be missed!