Nutbutters .... are they raw?

[bellamausi]

I know they say 'raw' on the jar, but I can't see how nut butters can stay fresh and unspoiled indefinitely on the shelf? They don't even have to be refridgerated! :confused:

Also, if I want to make my own butter, do I use soaked or dry nuts? And putting them through the Greenstar juicer will give me nut butter?

[VeganVixen]

I *THINK* that if it is almonds butter and says raw -its probably raw ,but I doubt the cashew butter is raw -I also think that truly raw n. b. 's can stay out of the fridge before opening ,however my w .h .s. sells GUARANTEED raw hemp butter and almond butter in the refrigerated veg. dairy section ........how about you contact the company?

[RawTruth]

Most nuts need to be soaked -- to "wake up" the enzymes, right? So, yep, you need to soak/sprout them. Almonds, for sure. As far as cashews, it's my understanding that cashews are never really raw, but .... don't know which nuts you're asking about specifically.

If depends on which model you have, I think, but, if your GreenStar doesn't have directions that include nut butter, you can always check their website and/or send them an email.

And, yes, if you buy the decent brands, they are raw. You can always check by calling the manufaturer and (by being really persistent, talking to the right person, and asking the right questions) ascertain this for yourself. I took the "experts" word for it, though, buying the brands that they (specifically Rhio and Alissa) already checked out.

[rawpriestess]

I buy the very expensive type of almond butter that is sold only in the refridgerator section.

When I first bought almond butter, I had the same questions, I was also buying raw honey, but alas they were not what Rawfoodists think of as raw.

We think of raw as not heated above 105degrees.

they think of raw as not cooked.

I talked with a honey manufacturer, and they heat the Raw honey to 160 degress to make it pour easier.

So, un-heated is what you really want, not just raw.

Also, Rawtruth is right, give them a call, and you will find all kinds of wonderful information.

For one thing you will find out that Braggs, had to take the "raw" off the label of their liquid aminos, which also have no added MSG, but have natural occuring MSG. So, I don't use it anymore. I like it too much, that was a sure sign there was something wrong with it.

[bellamausi]

Thanks for the info guys! I was asking about the nut butters, that potentially could be raw, like almond, tahini, etc.

I didn't know, there were some that are sold in the refridgerated section.

Hmm, so it looks like, nut butters arent' generally made at home. There doesn't seem to be too much info about making your own. I know, if I put soaked almonds through my juicer, it doesn't come out nut-butter-like at all, too crumbly. But I will look at my juicer manual, good idea. ;)

[Sweet lips]

Freshly made raw nut or seed butter is not only delicious but a good source of nutrients such as protein and essential fats. Raw is far more nutritious than roasted as heat denatures the essential fats which are necessary for proper function of the brain, skin, nervous system and sexual organs.

2 cups Nuts or seeds of choice
Oils:You may use Udo's Choice or Omega Essential Balance. any good brand of flax oil. almond oil, walnut oil because I don't want it taste olivey

Seasoning (optional and there are suggestions below)

Juicer version: Plug up your juicer and feed the nuts slowly in there, pour the oil in and allow the blades of juicer to chew it - the oil will cause it to be creamy. Use as much as you need - starting with a tbs until you see it come creamy, and soft and then mix it as below

Blender and food processor version

Powder nuts or seeds in a coffee grinder or Vitamix. The powder should be as fine as you can get it although a few chunks are OK. If using a Vitamix be careful not to blend too long as this will heat the nuts and denature the fatty acids. Chilling your Vitamix container beforehand and storing nuts in the freezer can help prevent heating. Plug up your juicer and feed the nuts slowly in there, pour the oil

Transfer to a food processor. While processor is running, add oil one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. The consistency should be a little runnier than your normal preference as raw nut butters must be refrigerated which will cause them to thicken. The amount of oil you add will vary depending on the type of nut or seed you are using (some nuts have a higher natural oil content than others). Add seasonings as desired. Seasonings will depend on the type of nut butter being made. I have found that a dash of sea salt and a teaspoon of honey taste great with almond butter. When your nut butter is made, transfer into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator. Oil will separate during storage so stir before using.

Nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts and pecans make great nut butters.

Seeds: sesame seeds, hemp, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are also good choices; however, use caution with these types of seeds. Their oils tend to be volatile and it only takes a few "bad seeds" to ruin of whole batch of seed butter. I learned this the hard way with my first batch of pumpkin seed butter. My friend Ruth (a long time raw foodist who taught me how to make nut butter) explained that seeds should be carefully scrutinized before making your butter. Remove any that are discoloured as this indicates that they are likely rancid.

Unhulled sesame seeds while higher in calcium than hulled are usually a little bitter tasting. Hemp seed needs to be hulled for good results. Look for hulled hemp seed (sometimes called hemp nut) either in vacuum sealed packages or in the refrigerated section of your local health food store.

All nuts and seeds should be purchased as fresh as possible and stored in the fridge or freezer.

Oils: I recommend using an oil blend such as Udo's Choice or Omega Essential Balance. These oil blends help ensure your diet is rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. If you feel your overall diet is deficient in omega-3 then you can use any good brand of flax oil.

[DennisMB]

Awesome post Sweet lips
I learnt a lot from it, thanks!

[bellamausi]

:D Thanks so much for your post, sweet lips! Very informative! I will definitely try and make my own butters now. So I gather the nuts are not soaked before making nut butter? :)

[RawTruth]

Blender and food processor version

Powder nuts or seeds in a coffee grinder or Vitamix. The powder should be as fine as you can get it although a few chunks are OK. If using a Vitamix be careful not to blend too long as this will heat the nuts and denature the fatty acids. Chilling your Vitamix container beforehand and storing nuts in the freezer can help prevent heating. Plug up your juicer and feed the nuts slowly in there, pour the oil

Transfer to a food processor.

Okay, now I'm a bit confused. You're saying to 1) powder/grind the nuts, 2) then put them through a juicer, and 3) then put them in a food processor?

Also -- I had assumed that the nuts should be soaked (and sprouted?) first. Is that right, SweetLips?

[bellamausi]

I think maybe for nut butters, the nuts don't get soaked at all, otherwise, I would think they would go bad on the shelf, if they had moisture in them.

I still haven't gotten around to trying to make my own batch, I still have some left in a jar, but I'll let you know, what works or doesn't.

[JustMe]

Does anyone know the answer if the nuts should be sprouted first or not? I wanted to try and make a batch today. Thanks!

[Allison]

I have never sprouted nuts when making nut butter. I always grind my nuts in the coffee grinder, then add a little water or juice and stir. That's it.

[vegangelist]

vegan vixen, WHERE do you get these guaranteed raw nut butters? I am in Houston and would love to know a source, other than WF.

kristi

[RawTruth]

Does anyone know the answer if the nuts should be sprouted first or not?Here's a link to a webpage that discusses raw nuts and, about midway down the page, talks about sprouting nuts before blending. Be sure to let us know how it turns out.

[bellamausi]

Hi RawTruth,
You forgot to give us the link! :rolleyes:

[RawTruth]

Doh! What a goof! And ... now I can't find it again.

Well, here's an answer from Rhio (at the end of the page) --
http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/real%20letters/ltr_basilnutbuttr.html