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Jodi
06-07-2005, 06:34 PM
I traveled to a health food store today to buy some things that I can't get locally. One was Almond Butter. They only had one raw almond butter to chose from and it was really expensive. Since I've never bought it before, I'm going to assume it is always expensive. But, at 18.00 a jar I'm not sure I can afford to buy this treat very often.

Are there any on-line sources for a more reasonably priced almond butter? I suppose afte shipping it might cost the same, but then I did have to drive 45 minutes to buy it.

I also found some raw flax crackers. At 5 bucks for a small bag...I am definitely going to learn to make my own. Can't wait for my Excalibur to arrive!


Jodi
VeganVixen
06-07-2005, 06:36 PM
whoa!!! "mine" is only 8.50 at w.f.- I dont use enough to buy a jar , I usually make my own on the VERY rare occasions I eat it.
Jodi
06-07-2005, 06:49 PM
This store had tons of almond butter made with roasted almonds, but only one kind with raw. I found it in the cooler. I could not believe it was 18.00 a jar. I'm afraid I'm going to love the stuff and want more...but, at that price I just may have to learn to make my own!


Jodi
SimpleGirl
06-07-2005, 06:51 PM
Jodi,

Where are in in Indiana? There is a Trader Joes in Indy and one in Cincinnati. Raw Almond Butter is much cheaper at Trader Joes. Personally I am afraid to try almond butter-I am sure it is addictive!
Jodi
06-07-2005, 07:22 PM
I so wish I lived closer to a TJ's. I'm in Rensselaer which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive form Indy. We have friends who live in Brookfield, Illinois which is about an 1 1/2 hour drive and we will be visiting them end of June. There is a TJ's and a Whole Foods near them, so I think I'll have to pay those stores a visit.

Does Raw Almond Butter go bad after awhile? Would I safely be able to by several jars as long as I don't open them? I don't want to buy too much and it goes bad.

Jodi
Revvell
06-07-2005, 07:38 PM
By several jars, don't open them. After opening, I usually keep mine in the fridge as I don't use it much. Did at first making cookies and such. You'll find much less expensive at TJ's and WF's.

Also, I store mine cap side down OR open it and pour out the oil if stored cap up.

Revvell
twinyoga
06-07-2005, 08:11 PM
You can make your own. Maybe you can find bulk raw almonds cheaper and make it instead of prepared jars.

I buy mine at Trader Joe's and it's pretty inexpensive. I go through about a jar a week. My kids love it and it replaces peanut butter in the house.
RawTruth
06-07-2005, 09:12 PM
Trader Joe's is definitely the cheapest source. It's stored on the shelf and only needs to be refrigerated after opening. I'm the only eating it and mine lasts me at least a month. I mainly use it for salad dressings or to smear on celery sticks if I'm in the mood. Though, if you're doing more raw gourmet than I am, you'll likely need it for desserts.

It's yummy, but I don't find it addictive. Oh yeah, for the occasional sweet attack that I don't satisfy with ice cream, I'll mix some almond butter, carob, and agave nectar to dip some apple slices in or add shredded coconut and make a couple little "candies."
grantmercy
06-08-2005, 07:25 PM
I find that if you really like peanut butter, then you'll really like almond butter! I would buy some and put in on Ezekial bread topped w/ banana and/or strawberries!!!

If you want to make your own which is comparable in cost, for me--$7.00/lb of raw almonds--here's a recipe:

soaked raw almonds -- grind in a coffee/grain mill
salt to taste
honey to taste

The texture is not as fine or smooth as store bought, but that's what I like. And I like the sweetness. All in all, it reminds me of a struessel topping. :)
ljcoolj
06-09-2005, 01:10 PM
I'm in Cincinnati and have the 3 different sources for my raw food. One is TJ's, the other is Wild Oats. You can go online and see if there is a Wild Oats store near you. I was thinking there was one in Indy but I could be wrong. We also have a place here in Fairfield, OH called Jungle Jim's. AMAZING store. If you're ever in Cincy....you have to check this place out. I only live 3 miles away too, thats why I can't move :D !!!
Doe
06-09-2005, 02:11 PM
I got some Wild Oats Raw Almond Butter. After stirring it is very runny. What I made myself was more the consistency of natural peanut butter. This is like taking homemade and adding an equal amount of oil. The ingredients say organic raw almonds, I’m wondering if it was the top of a batch and didn’t get enough solids. Is it supposed to be so thin?
Texicalian
06-09-2005, 02:19 PM
Doe - try putting it in the fridge. (I found this out with other WO products.) It will firm up. Alternatively, just don't stir the oil in. However, the almond butter can get pretty hard at the bottom of the jar if you don't.
RawTruth
06-09-2005, 07:13 PM
Just a teensy note -- they definitely need to be refrigerated no matter what type you have.

grantmercy - $7 a pound is a great price! Where do you find this? Oh, but are they organic?
bellamausi
06-09-2005, 07:21 PM
From what I heard, the refridgerated kind is really expensive, but more guaranteed to be truly raw. The ones on the shelf might have gotten heated in the process of grinding.

Jodi, does your jar say anything about how it was made? :)
Jodi
06-09-2005, 07:59 PM
The bottle says it was ground at low temps to retain the enzymes. It's by Rejuvinate Foods. The store I bought it at had a fairly big shelf full of different nut butters that were not refridgerated, I glanced at several of the almond, but they were all made with roasted. I don't think I looked at them all....I had an impatient hubby with me.

I have not opened this jar of Almond Butter yet. I kind of feel like I have a jar of gold sitting in my 'fridge. Guess I should open and enjoy it, but I'm afraid I will like it so much I'll want more!

Jodi
bellamausi
06-09-2005, 09:19 PM
See, that is exactly what I thought. The bottle you bought is definitely raw almond butter, whereas the others that are not refridgerated are probably heated during the grinding process.

Since I found that out, I haven't bought any almond butter anymore. The real stuff is too expensive for me. But when the time comes and I want some almond butter, I will make it myself. :)
grantmercy
06-09-2005, 09:33 PM
Rawtruth,

Hi, I get my almonds from Wild Oats or Fresh Market here in Columbus. $7-8.00/# for organic raw almonds ON SALE(normally, they run $9-11.00). Whole Foods Market is going to open a store close by too. I can't wait to see what they have. I've heard good things about their prices and selection.

Right now, Wild Oats has conventional raw almonds on sale for $4.99.
RawTruth
06-09-2005, 11:32 PM
Rejuvenate makes great nut butters and also fermented foods, but, yes, they are very expensive.

So that you know, though, it IS possible to buy raw almond butter that is not initially refrigerated. As mentioned by several other posters here on this thread, Trader Joe's, for one, sells organic raw almond butter. It is stored unrefrigerated until opened and is about $8 a jar.

Yeah, my Wild Oats can get down to $7.99 a pound for raw organic almonds, but only on sale, though they run out constantly. Really, that store drives me crazy. It's not very raw-friendly to begin with, the staff is frequently not helpful, and they're out of the almonds (which is almost the only thing I buy there since their organic produce is sooo over-priced and they have almost nothing else raw) at least 3 out of 4 times I go in.

Anyway -- sorry for the rant!! :o

As with anything else we don't buy from growers or grow ourselves, with almond butter, we just have to read labels. If you have the opportunity to go to a Trader Joe's, though, they rule as far as price!
grantmercy
06-10-2005, 05:29 PM
Ditto re: Trader Joe's and price. We have 2 here in town. Don't have time to write more. See ya! Have a rawsome weekend!!
annieH
06-10-2005, 06:40 PM
The bottle says it was ground at low temps to retain the enzymes. It's by Rejuvinate Foods. The store I bought it at had a fairly big shelf full of different nut butters that were not refridgerated, I glanced at several of the almond, but they were all made with roasted. I don't think I looked at them all....I had an impatient hubby with me.

I have not opened this jar of Almond Butter yet. I kind of feel like I have a jar of gold sitting in my 'fridge. Guess I should open and enjoy it, but I'm afraid I will like it so much I'll want more!

Jodi


YES!!!! You ARE gonna love it.....Rejuvinate is the only brand i buy. I know its expensive but i cut corners in other places to afford it. It is truely RAW butter and to me tastes like nothing else i have ever had. I prefer it to other non refridgerated almond butters. ALL of their raw butters are fabulous. I usually buy from their website that way they grind it when i order it and its even fresher than getting it at the store.

I suppose i could make my own...maybe i will someday. For now... i love the consistancy of Rejuvinate butters they are runny and so delicious that i tend to use less than i would if it was a thicker mix.
SO... enjoy!..try it on sliced apples mmmmmm. Or.... slice a banana length wise and spread some on there ....put the other slice back on for a bannana almond sandwich....lovely!