Trader Joe's has RAW Organic Valencia Almonds

[spicyfull]

from Spain. They are a little flatter and just a bit softer that typical California Almonds. Valencia Almonds are a native of Spain. Sometomes referred to as "Valentine Almonds," Valencia Almonds are also more on the sweet side, so you can satisfy both the crunch and sweet cravings simultaneously.

This year, the Almond crop in Spain was plentiful, so we were able to negotiate a price on these almonds that makes then even more affordable than the California varieties.

Trader Joe's RAW Organic Valencia Almonds come in a 12 ounce bag for $6.49. And we've left them in their natural state-RAW and unsalted-allowing you to enjoy the Naturally sweet taste of each and every Almond.

"as posted in their Fearless Flyer"

[daves8742]

Wow, that is really great news... considering that all almonds grown in the US are now pasteurized and truly raw almonds are hard to find! Thanks, and kudos once again to good old reliable and afforable Trader Joes. :)

[greenfeline]

I don't want to burst the happy bubble, but even almonds labelled raw can still be not raw. I would contact the manufacturer just to make sure there is no heat processing. Maybe because they are from outside the US they will be totally raw.

[Eva]

Those don't taste nearly as good as the ones I got from CA that are unpasteurized and truly raw. Not sure what the deal is, but they were very dry and tasted almost stale every time I bought them from Trader Joe's.

[debilana]

I would rather stop eating almonds than pay for ones that have been shipped across the ocean, burning tons of fuel, and getting stale to boot.

the direct growers in CA have almonds for a steal! do some research and you will locate them=) It is a myth that all almonds from the US are pastuarized.

On another note,I am starting to get weird feelings about eating too much stuff that traveled a long way to get to me.I am looking into growing goji berries at home, for one. I like getting as many nuts as I can from the west coast, where I live- hazelnuts from Oregan , yum! I think its a toss up- if I am truly supporting a local agriculture- and it can be proven to me,like fair trade cacoa/coffees etc- then I am bury my dislike of wasting fuel to support those people. One thing I like about people like David Wolfe is he seems to go out of his way to make sure the products he sells are supported in this manner.

It is a topic for much debate on each side, and I have opted for moderation- local when I can, esp on produce, fair trade/sustainable for most other things, and not beating myself up about all of it- by going raw, buying from a local CSA and farmers markets, I guess I am making an impact!

Anyway- the trader joes nuts are stale,go CA!:D

[queenfluff]

The pasteurization law is only for California. So, yes if you buy those grown in Europe they should not be pasterurized. Although, yes, you have to considered the eco consequences of buying them.

I am lucky to live near a farmers market that has a almond farm at it and they don't pasteurize. :)

[daves8742]

The eco-friendly and stale almond considerations are something I put second to convenience and afforability. It appears that there is away around the CA pasteurization law - Tree sharing (http://www.localforage.com/local_forage/2007/07/tree-share-for-.html) ...and farmers can sell unpasteurized almonds directly at a farm stand or farmers market.

[debilana]

aye money doesn't grow on trees -like almonds!:D
I forgot to mention that the site many of us get our almonds from- the buy almonds from ca site ( I can never remember the name of the farm)- is much cheaper than anywhere else I have seen- 6.75 a pound! If you buy 50 pounds they ship for free=)

if you use the banana to search you can find raw almond growers. support your farmers!:D

[Nini]

Well, I went and bought some and I liked them.
So, thanks, spicyfull for sharing your info!

[Coconutcutie]

I don't know why, but ever since I read on this forum that Trader Joes is selling irradiated produce I just can't bring myself to shop there. We used to drop hundreds of dollars a month there and now we haven't shopped there in what feels like forever....The talk of these almonds, if they are truly raw, *might* get me to go back in there, but I don't know...

[Apasaraw]

My family has an almond farm in the central valley...they can sell them raw at their place and the pasturizing is "reccommended" but not required. Once they sell the big crop to Blue Diamond etc then of course they will be.

[Morn]

I have been meaning to check out trader Joes - this will give me a reason to stop there - as I have no way of buying raw almonds anymore here in Michigan. THanks for the information.