Items that claim to be RAW

[cdepalmer]

Can anyone tell me why David W sells items that are not raw? he does sell olives, raw cashews and a different of brand almond butter. Are these for sure not raw?

One more thing how do you make your own almond butter?

[blacktulip]

for almond butter, i've had good luck using a champion juicer to grind the soaked almonds, using the blank, and adding some flax oil to give it the extra oil that roasting usually gives almonds- and to add a bit more rich nutty flavor. if it's too grainy, i run it through a food processor in small batches, adding more flax oil and sometimes some pure water for the desired consistency. I also add some celtic sea salt ( one of my favorite flavors in the world!!). . . and have also tried adding carob powder or raw honey for a different take on almond butter.
It doesn't look like store-bought almond butter, i'm honestly not quite sure how they get it to look like that, but it tastes delicious and I would rather make it myself and know it's raw. . . as i try to mass-produced items if possible and i've heard that in their processing they actually go over the 118 degrees. . . cause they're such a huge business and produce so much.
But I do still love it and usually have some tucked away in the fridge for those occasional cravings!!

[veganman]

BlackTulip -

I think the main difference is that most of the almond butter in the store is from non-soaked almonds. The soaking adds water, which changes the consistancy.

[madmel]

veganman,

do you soak your almonds for almond butter?

I have added some coconut oil to my almonds when making almond butter, otherwise they won't turn into butter. Tastes good, not like the store bought variety sure, but still really nice.

mel

[veganman]

veganman,

do you soak your almonds for almond butter?

I have added some coconut oil to my almonds when making almond butter, otherwise they won't turn into butter. Tastes good, not like the store bought variety sure, but still really nice.

mel

Hi Madmel -

I haven't made almond butter yet, but know that the consistancy of soaked almonds through the juicer looks different than what I expect almond butter to look like.

Your idea sounds good.

[Pailani]

The only time I soaked my almonds, the almond butter molded within days.

[Sheryl]

I know the farm the NFL cashews come from... talked to them many times and visited the people that run one of the farms recently. The cashews are not heat processed as per normal 'raw' cashews and are instead hand shelled with a press, one at a time. Instead of doing 500 kg in 30 minutes they might only do a kilo or three... however they get paid more for their since since products like this are premium products.

There are many products you need to be careful of if you're aiming for 100% no exceptions. And there are companies out there that do produce almond butter etc made for raw foodists. One company it takes them days and multiple passes over the nuts with special knives, to achieve almond butter with no heat build up.

The extra processing needed is what makes many of these really raw products more expensive, and also why for many you're not likely to find them cheap packaged as regular brands.

Make sense?

Oh and Alissa does sell olives too!
Sheryl

[Linda1970]

I sprout my nuts, dehydrate them, then grind them over a few days to reduce heat build up.

[cdepalmer]

Sheryl,
I would love to make my own nut butters but just don't have time. What are brands that you know are raw?
Love your website.
Cindy

[Sheryl]

I checked and Alissa doesn't sell them yet...

The source I think the highest of is http://www.livingtreecommunity.com/

They are organic, and use the highest quality grinding methods to ensure items stay low temperature. They are amazing!!!

Here's a quote from their site: "Most of our time and energy nowadays goes into making alive almond butter. We have developed, over the years, a proprietary process. We make it slowly. We slice and let it rest in a refrigerator .We slice again the next day. Most others grind rather than slice and do it all at once, under conditions of considerable heat and pressure. Furthermore, we make it in small batches so it’s fresh and alive."

Cheers,
Sheryl

[veganman]

I have only tried Artisana brand.

From their web site, they say this "The nuts and seeds we use are fresh, not roasted, and made into butter with a low temperature process. This means that all of the enzymes, proteins and vitamins are intact, in their natural state and fully utilized by the body. Heat destroys these sensitive nutrients."

[Sheryl]

One thing to ask of any company, is the temperature when grinding takes place. Even in no temperature is added, friction can cause high heat.

Sheryl

[cdepalmer]

I did talk with Artisana and they said the temp threshold is 118 during grinding and they try to keep it at 112.

Maranatha has not responde yet but I have heard they do heat above

Living Tree community did not respond yet.

[Lady Green Jeans]

Sheryl,

You are blessed that Almonds must not be processed in Australia. Unfortunatley, ALL California almonds that have been shelled--even though they state RAW--are treated with an oxide to prevent botulism, etc. The process of applying the oxide treatment takes the nuts to over 118 degrees.

I got this information from the California Almond Board. I no longer buy shelled almonds as NONE from California are truly raw. I'm surprised there isn't more of a public outcry from consumers on this. Anyone wanting more info, please post here and I will add links, etc. if you want to voice your opinion to the growers and/or Almond Board of the sad state of non-raw almonds being the only ones available out of the shell.

[cdepalmer]

Well they told me they were not heated in the grinder over 118 so not sure why they would lie when other company's stated that they did.
cindy

[veganman]

Sheryl,

You are blessed that Almonds must not be processed in Australia. Unfortunatley, ALL California almonds that have been shelled--even though they state RAW--are treated with an oxide to prevent botulism, etc. The process of applying the oxide treatment takes the nuts to over 118 degrees.

I got this information from the California Almond Board. I no longer buy shelled almonds as NONE from California are truly raw. I'm surprised there isn't more of a public outcry from consumers on this. Anyone wanting more info, please post here and I will add links, etc. if you want to voice your opinion to the growers and/or Almond Board of the sad state of non-raw almonds being the only ones available out of the shell.

I wonder about this and is applicability to organic almonds. I get mine straight from the grower and will ask him about his process.

I would be interested in seeing some links. Thanks.

[rawpriestess]

Can anyone tell me why David W sells items that are not raw? he does sell olives, raw cashews and a different of brand almond butter. Are these for sure not raw?

One more thing how do you make your own almond butter?
I think the best answer to this, is to ask David, no one else can REALLY answer this.