Out of USA almonds: WOW

[raweater]

I'm in Canada and virtually all almonds here are from USA, so when they started spraying cancer causing/explosive chemicals on nearly all almonds grown in the USA last september I think it was, I knew I'd have to find another source or quit eating almonds.

I thought I'd have to order some online but noticed my health food store started selling almonds from other countries like spain and italy. I've been buying those since then and WOW, this is what almonds taste like!?! The onces from USA are completely TASTELESS, the international ones have an AWESOME taste, like a very strong and pronounced marzipan taste, minus the sweet from the sugar in marzipan.

I had also been making the cashew chow mein recipe posted here and now that I make my almond butter with those, even the sauce is much better and you can taste the almonds even through all the spices!

If you've been eating the "almonds" from USA (which are almost all pasteurized with highly toxic chemicals), I strongly recommend trying international ones, they are like night and day.

[Baby Bird]

Any particular vendors you can share with us?

[FloridaPatty]

Most of our food is tasteless. That way no one notices what they're eating since it all tastes the same. That way all the food get equal treatment. And you've let out our secret! We'll have to turn you over to Homeland Security!

[Stina]

Most of our food is tasteless. That way no one notices what they're eating since it all tastes the same. That way all the food get equal treatment. And you've let out our secret! We'll have to turn you over to Homeland Security!

You're freaking hilarious! But sadly truthful.....

[tepiglet]

Heehee,FloridaPatty,you are too funny!LOL.
I know what you mean,raweater,I noticed awhile ago-when there was
first mention of mandatory almond pasteurisation-that my local health food
store carried raw organic almonds from Spain and Italy(I live in Canada too).
So I breathed a huge sigh of relief,that I could still buy raw almonds,since I seriously doubt
that those countries would ever consider altering their almonds in that way.
And you're right,the flavour is incredible-funny,I had the EXACT same thought
i.e.,that they tasted like marzipan!
The ones from Italy,are from a brand called Markal.

[pinkrosebud]

I just got truly raw almonds in bulk from my coop (gulp they are expensive!) But they are amazing!!! They taste like marzipan or almond flavoring. I always wondered why my usa almonds never tasted like almond flavoring, well now I know. P.S. mine come from Spain.

[raweater]

One of the brands I got is also Markal, the other is "Prana" I believe.

[jacsam]

Marzipan....wow....I want to try some.

[GlimR]

They sound delicious!! Thanks to this site I ahve found that "growers" of almonds in california are not mandated to spray their almonds. I just bought 10 lbs from one of them...not organic but raw and un-pasturized!!

I also learned that their are many different varitites with different tastes.carmel almonds are marzipan like...non-parell a softer taste and aldritch taste like macaroons!! Who knew???

[kaylene]

Is there a website where we can order these?

[raweater]

They sound delicious!! Thanks to this site I ahve found that "growers" of almonds in california are not mandated to spray their almonds. I just bought 10 lbs from one of them...not organic but raw and un-pasturized!!

I also learned that their are many different varitites with different tastes.carmel almonds are marzipan like...non-parell a softer taste and aldritch taste like macaroons!! Who knew???
The raw/organic USA ones are the ones I find tasteless (I stopped buying them once they were pasteurized). Also don't forget that the pasteurization law says the almonds should still be labeled as "raw and unpasteurized" even if they are pasteurized, so be very careful who you get them from if they are from USA as they are with very rare exceptions all pasteurized, even if truely raw, they'll still likely be tasteless.

[Bingo24]

Oh, I'm soooo jealous - sound incredible.

Anyone found a website yet?

[GlimR]

Thanks raweater...i bought them directly from the grower...we'll see how they are...will report back after I've tried them~

[VibraTechJulie]

I am also interested in a website. Anyone?
Thanks in advance,
Julie

[prana]

www.andersonalmonds.com

I purchased 25 pounds of these and they are full of flavor. When you call to order (you can't order online) you speak directly with the grower. He will answer every question you have.

I paid $8 lb for the almonds with shipping included. They are the best ever! I've tried a lot of almonds including what is being sold in the US via Spain and Italy. Mr. Anderson has some great almond orchards!

[faith4u]

www.andersonalmonds.com

I purchased 25 pounds of these and they are full of flavor. When you call to order (you can't order online) you speak directly with the grower. He will answer every question you have.

I paid $8 lb for the almonds with shipping included. They are the best ever! I've tried a lot of almonds including what is being sold in the US via Spain and Italy. Mr. Anderson has some great almond orchards!

Are these raw?

[GreenPrince]

By crossbreeding wild almond trees, early growers got a tasteful almond. There still are wild trees out there, but these almonds are often bitter. Today we have European and American type of almonds.

The American almonds have lost all of the (lightly) bitter taste by further plant breeding, but a great part of the typical nice almond taste disappeared in this breeding process too.

I think the most tasteful almonds are Sicilian of the variety Tuono, but Spanish and Greek almonds are very good too.

Sorry for your almond law, guys.

[GlimR]

I recieved my almonds from D & S Ranches, the grower, today...they are delicious AND RAW...and relatively affordable...I ordered them Monday. Can't wait to make some almond milk!!

[faith4u]

Are these raw?

I called them and they have both raw and non raw.

[raweater]

I called them and they have both raw and non raw.
Be very careful because all pasteurized almonds are still considered and labeled as "raw", so if it says "raw" it really doesn't mean anything, you should ask the producer if they are ever pasteurized, because they will call and label them raw even when pasteurized.

[GlimR]

The place I ordered from are not pasturized AND raw~:)

[Raene]

Are the Anderson Almonds that people have tried the Carmel or Nonpareil variety? Are they still being sold raw? Thanks!

[rawstrength]

The almonds that I ate when I was in Greece were nothing like the bland U.S.A almonds. Though I think the bland U.S.A almonds are still useful in recipes that are supposed to be mild, like almond milk.

Have any of you here had unripe (green) almonds right off the tree? I did when I was in Greece. It is kind of like eating young coconuts - instead of solid almond meat it is all jellified. It's good.

Ever wonder why home grown heirloom tomatoes taste nothing like supermarket tomatoes?

Someday . . .
I will grow all my own food organically and with lots of love. Gardens are so miraculous. I am not a raw foodist. I am a garden eater :D .

[Eva]

Hmmm, I haven't liked any of the almonds I've tried from Spain yet. The ones I ordered from www.almonds-from-california.com were so tasty and sweet. I bought almonds here in Hungary recently that were from Spain, and I threw them out.

I don't think any of us can reasonably generalize about the taste of items from one country or another. Perhaps next week I will try almonds from a different grower in Spain that will be delicious. And perhaps you have not tried the ones I have from CA.

Nevertheless, 1. There are some rebels out there that are still not pasteurizing in the USA and 2. It really stinks not knowing for sure who those rebels are!

[Raene]

Nevertheless, 1. There are some rebels out there that are still not pasteurizing in the USA and 2. It really stinks not knowing for sure who those rebels are!

Total agreement!!!

[Apasaraw]

They sound delicious!! Thanks to this site I ahve found that "growers" of almonds in california are not mandated to spray their almonds. I just bought 10 lbs from one of them...not organic but raw and un-pasturized!!

I also learned that their are many different varitites with different tastes.carmel almonds are marzipan like...non-parell a softer taste and aldritch taste like macaroons!! Who knew???


I too get raw organic non touched almonds out here...I have almond growers in the family and they are not required to pasturize. It is strongly urged but NOT required. People got the wrong end of the stick on that and started over reacting. I went to the source and read the documentation after googling.
After Blue Diamond etc buy them they choose to roast or steam pasturize. You can buy real raw here in Central California, but we are close to the source and just lucky.

[Elisabeth]

I'll be out in the valley this weekend, and I was thinking of stopping by Anderson Almonds and picking some up. They sell a 25 pound crate for a reduced rate, but do they freeze well? I don't want to spend 200 bucks on something that's not going to be usable for a long time.

Does anyone know how long almonds keep in a deep freezer?

[Dimond]

All nuts & seeds seem to last well in the freezer, possibly indefinitely if stored in the proper bag/container. I usually double bag them so they don't pick up the freezer smell/taste.

[Raene]

Umm...they actually say on the bag NOT to freeze them. Dunno why though...

[Apasaraw]

I'll be out in the valley this weekend, and I was thinking of stopping by Anderson Almonds and picking some up. They sell a 25 pound crate for a reduced rate, but do they freeze well? I don't want to spend 200 bucks on something that's not going to be usable for a long time.

Does anyone know how long almonds keep in a deep freezer?

Excellant idea. Almonds can be kept in the freezer sealed well for a year! No rancid issues and always at hand. HAVE to keep the moisture out though. Loses a bit of flavour...that's why it says it on the package.

Ya know the freezing kills all the "bugs" the food manufacturer people are worried about...why don't they just freeze to pasturize and not steam/roast? I'm gonna find out....

[Eva]

Can't get any fresh almonds here. I've actually taken to only eating almonds I can get out of the shell myself, ones that are not in a bag.

But it's not quite the full harvest season. I will be waiting for another 3 weeks, and my taste buds are so darn good that they KNOW the stuff in the bags is almost a year old. No way, they say.

I think it's already harvest season in CA, but I could be wrong. If not, soon is the time to order! :)

[Lady Green Jeans]

The Anderson Almond link did not open with a phone number. Anyone have it?

Thanks

[SuzyQ]

I noticed their web-site closed on 9-5-2008 and will possibly resume but perhaps not.

[wantsandwishes]

Unfortunately the website is expired now and may not be back. Do they have other contact information such as a phone number or address?

[Eva]

That's a real bummer because it's possible they went out of business with all this almond crapola. I hope that's not the case, but it is very possible! :(

[raweater]

Here's an article that says 15 almond growers are suing the USDA to halt the pasteurization since many companies are now importing almonds from spain rather than getting local USA almonds which are pasteurized/sprayed with cancer causing chemicals.

Almond Growers Sue USDA to Halt Mandatory Chemical Fumigation of Raw Almonds
http://www.naturalnews.com/024132.html

[kaybee]

i think its a different variety of almond....

[prana]

Anderson Almonds website: www.andersonalmonds.com is back up online. These are TRULY RAW almonds. You can call and talk to the grower yourself. This makes me happy, I thought that they closed their doors.

[SheLovesToEat]

Anderson Almonds website: www.andersonalmonds.com is back up online. These are TRULY RAW almonds. You can call and talk to the grower yourself. This makes me happy, I thought that they closed their doors.


i just got off the phone with anderson almonds and they are too scared to ship unpasterized almonds.....unless you get them in the shell i think.
he did say something about that but i might be confused about it.

if you go to their farm you can buy them directly from them....otherwise.... they have to pasturize them for shipping.

on thing he did mention to me about the steaming pasturization...... if you have noticed that almonds are a bit rubbery...... thats a sign they have been steamed.
and you know.... yesterday i was in whole foods and tasted one of their organic bulk almonds and they were tasteless and rubbery....and they were almost $16/pound ! i was wondering why they were so soft....now i know!
and and THAT PRICE!!!!

thats CRAZY!

looks like i am going to be making a road trip over to cali to get mine ....because i couldnt believe HOW tasteless those almonds were from whole foods.