Do you buy raw nuts and seeds?

[Alice_101]

i was wondering if you did..
I buy them from the grocery store and they taste aweful!! probably gone rancid.
Where do you buy nuts
'Should I buy them online and what is a good affordable store for buying bulk and another for regiular one pound of goodies such as raw cookies, chocolate etc?
Maybe ships from the UK but from N America is fine.

[RawHeaven]

They are probably not raw and that's why they taste yucky to you.

I shop at my natural food co-op for raw nuts. Sometimes I can find them at farmer's markets.

On-line try this site:

http://rawfromthefarm.com/nuts.aspx

[juliebove]

I get some from my health food store and some online. I do not buy bulk nuts and seeds any more. Have gotten too many bad ones.

[JennaHoneyBear]

I usually buy my nuts and seeds at Trader Joes. Almonds I buy at the farmers market so they're really raw. I bought some pine nuts (pignolias) at TJs and they were HORRIBLE! Probably had gone rancid :( freakin expensive at 7.99 a bag, i should have taken it back!

[neurosport]

Trader Joes because its a block away fro me and i am an idiot and i don't know where else to buy them :)

Then i toss them into my blender and turn them into milk. Add some chocolate whey protein to the mix and good 2 go :)

[walnutty]

I used to buy all my nuts and seeds from TJ's, but they are not raw and never have been. I found this out a few years ago and the info from TJ's is on this forum somewhere.

Anyway, Raw From The Farm is a good resource. So is Rawguru.com. I also purchase some raw nuts from iherb.com and amazon.com because I have contacted the companies and found out that their nuts are truly raw.

These days, due to finances, I only use raw, organic sunflower seeds for nut and seed recipes. These I get at Whole Foods for $1.99 a lb.

Good luck!

[Maintime]

I generally buy mine from either bulk from whole foods or the local grocery store.

I have found them at target though as well. Target has them the cheapest package that I have found and they come in nice containers you can use again. :)

[Shels]

I just get them from generic grocery stores. Raw almonds are easy to find, but with everything else it varies.
Sometimes I have to buy salted nuts and then just clean them off when I get home. *shrug* If you have access to a Trader Joe's, then by all means go there. =]

[Lukesgramma]

Most health food stores will allow their customers to do a "special order" from the supplier's catalog. I usually get all my sunflower and sesame seeds that way in 5-pound bulk batches ordered from the bulk section of the catalog. The seeds always come very fresh. The separate wrapping for just 5 pounds keeps seeds fresher than when they come out of a 25 pound bag and sit around in bulk bins at the store.

It's less expensive to do a special order than to buy the 8-oz prepackaged seeds.

I buy 3 5-pound bags at a time and put the bags into 5-gallon sealed plastic buckets. Then I take out enough from one bag at a time to fill a glass quart jar. The rest of the seeds stay fresh inside the sealed bucket until the glass jar is empty and needs to be refilled.

I'm lucky that my macadamia nuts come straight from our trees!

"Raw" almonds and "raw" cashews are usually not really raw. That's particularly true for cashews and almonds sold from the bins at health food stores. Prepackaged cashews labeled "truly raw" can be found at health food stores, and my understanding is that those are really raw. In the US, truly raw organic almonds can usually only be purchased online (often grown in Spain) or direct from an organic farm at a roadside stand, since a law went into effect requiring all other almonds sold in the US to be pasteurized. It is however, perfectly legal to label them "raw" at stores, even though they're not.

I'm somewhat suspicious of how raw the "raw" Brazil nuts really are, since I read that brazil nuts are boiled before being shelled. So far all the organic brazil nuts I've seen online are shelled.

Got to have those Brazils though! :) Anyone have a resource for organic or wildcrafted Brazils in the shell?

[Shels]

Well, cashews are toxic if they are raw, right?
And I was just getting Blue Diamond almonds.. does anyone know if they're one of the types that lie?
There's a local health food store here that I guess I could start buying at, but I'm really poor, and they grossly over price everything. :/

[RawKnitster]

I get nuts from lots of stores. My favorite place to buy them for raw quality and taste is Raw Vegan Source. I can't always take the time to drive there when I need to, in which case I will buy from the bulk bins at PCC Organic Grocery or Central Market. It also depends on the nut. If I can't get Brazil nuts from Raw Vegan Source, then I will do without. Macadamias, only the bulk bin at Central Market will do. Pine nuts, by the bag at either Costco or the local Fruit Stand. Almonds and cashews, if I can't take the time to go to Raw Vegan Source, then any store that has organic will do. Walnuts and pecans, I go with price on those. I stumbled across a great deal at 2 local stores that were running manager specials due to an overstock, walnuts for $2.09 a lb and pecans at $1.30 a lb. I bought 10 pounds of each.

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

Sometimes I have to buy salted nuts and then just clean them off when I get home. *shrug*

I would advice you not to do that. The salted ones are not only salted but also roasted in oil, which creats plenty of trans fats and also coagulates the protein making them hard to digest. Certainly not something you would want to put into your body if you are trying to be healthy.

[Lukesgramma]

Shels, I agree with 7kindsofcookie. For saving money, one option is to focus more on buying seeds than nuts. Whole sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are full of many of the same essential nutrients contained in nuts. Those seeds are affordable even when organic.

It's claimed that the "truly raw" cashews are shelled using a procedure that also eliminates the toxins. Personally, I don't care much for cashews, but if I did, those are the cashews I'd buy.

It's my understanding that the nonorganic almonds are chemically pasteurized. The organic ones are heat-pasteurized, which renders them non-raw, though labeled "raw" because they aren't roasted. US law requires pasteurization of all almonds grown and sold in the US, unless the consumer purchases them directly from the farm. The truly raw almonds purchased online are usually grown outside the US.

For myself, I eat only raw food; but there's no shame in eating something cooked; and if I had to choose between organic heat-pasteurized "raw" almonds and nonorganic chemically pasteurized raw almonds, I'd choose organic every time.

Here's why I always buy only organic nuts and seeds: Once I bought some conventionally grown walnuts from a roadside stand. Within a few days, I developed such severe stomach pains that I couldn't stand up straight. Luckily, a friend had recently harvested organically grown walnuts and gave me some, so I switched to those. Miraculously, by the next day, the terrible pain had completely disappeared.

Then, a few months later, I bought some sunflower seeds from the "organic" bin at a health food store. I began to experience the exact same kind of pain, so I asked the clerk at the store if she were sure the seeds were really organic. She checked the order for the bin and sure enough, the distributer had been out of organic when the store placed their order, so they'd ordered conventional and forgot to change the label on the bin.

That's why I always buy only organic nuts and seeds!

[Shels]

Thanks so much for all the information. I had no idea about the chemical pasteurization! :eek:

[Lukesgramma]

You're welcome, pretty lady!

[neurosport]

Here's why I always buy only organic nuts and seeds: Once I bought some conventionally grown walnuts from a roadside stand. Within a few days, I developed such severe stomach pains that I couldn't stand up straight. Luckily, a friend had recently harvested organically grown walnuts and gave me some, so I switched to those. Miraculously, by the next day, the terrible pain had completely disappeared.

Then, a few months later, I bought some sunflower seeds from the "organic" bin at a health food store. I began to experience the exact same kind of pain, so I asked the clerk at the store if she were sure the seeds were really organic. She checked the order for the bin and sure enough, the distributer had been out of organic when the store placed their order, so they'd ordered conventional and forgot to change the label on the bin.

you are definitely the sensitive type.

i bet you wouldn't do too well on Haitian Mud Cookies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of1akm423VQ

[Lukesgramma]

Yes, you're right neurosport.

The video is very disturbing. All of us are so fortunate. I think the "oil" in the cookies is lard. Terrible that people have to eat these to survive.

[walnutty]

Well, cashews are toxic if they are raw, right?



I have never heard this before. I have been eating raw, organic cashews for years and they have never made me sick. In fact, eating them and other raw food has made me extremely healthy!

Where did you get this information, Shels? AND would you please share your source?

Thanks!

[walnutty]

I also wanted to address those that are eating non-raw nuts and seeds.

Considering the high fat and caloric content of nuts and seeds I am quite shocked that if a person is trying to eat all raw that that would be okay. I understand the financial aspect of purchasing raw nuts and seeds, believe me. That is why I am only using raw, organic sunflower seeds right now for all nut and seed recipes. Raw, organic sunflower seeds are pretty inexpensive.

It would be better, in my mind, to eat cooked fruits and veggies than cooked nuts and seeds. Being raw, I am sure a person would NOT even consider that so why aren't some of you more concerned about the nuts and seeds?

I am really, really not trying to be hard on you. I just don't understand.

Cooked nuts and seeds are really, really bad for you. AND even raw, organic nuts and seeds that are not soaked to remove the enzyme inhibitors can be detrimental to your health, especially if you are doing raw for health reasons (or weight loss).

I haven't been on this forum for quite some time and it seems like there has been a loss of important information when I read some of your questions and posts.

It would be really, really nice if Alissa would post occasionally (even though she has her book for us to reference) and give advice.

That's part of why I haven't been around for awhile. I much more enjoy forums where the "owner" is involved.

Concerned, walnutty

[Lukesgramma]

Hi walnutty,:)

On the cashews: Cashews grow where I live. It's common knowledge that the cashew "nuts" cannot be eaten without first undergoing a complicated process to separate the nuts from their toxic shells. The process traditionally requires heating. Cashew "apples" are fine and don't require processing.

Products are unfortunately often labeled "raw" simply because they aren't roasted.

Recently (since 2005), a process was developed for separating a truly raw cashew from its toxic shell without heating.

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/rawcashew.html

The truly raw cashews can be found at health food stores, but they're prepackaged (vacuum-packed), and expensive. Almost positively, the "raw" cashews found in health food store bins are not truly raw. They would be much more expensive.

(Please, anyone with better or more up-to-date information, jump in here with some links!)

Also, does anyone have any information about where to find organic or wild-crafted brazil nuts in the shell?

[walnutty]

Hi walnutty,:)

On the cashews: Cashews grow where I live. It's common knowledge that the cashew "nuts" cannot be eaten without first undergoing a complicated process to separate the nuts from their toxic shells. The process traditionally requires heating. Cashew "apples" are fine and don't require processing.


Hi Lukesgramma,

It's good of you to answer Shels question.

Yes, truly raw cashews are very expensive. When I could afford them I purchased them from Alex the Raw Guru (rawguru.com). The place he gets them opens them by hand, which is why they are so expensive.

Now, I use only raw, organic sunflower seeds for all nut and seed recipes.

~walnutty~

[neurosport]

I also wanted to address those that are eating non-raw nuts and seeds.

Considering the high fat and caloric content of nuts and seeds I am quite shocked that if a person is trying to eat all raw that that would be okay. I understand the financial aspect of purchasing raw nuts and seeds, believe me. That is why I am only using raw, organic sunflower seeds right now for all nut and seed recipes. Raw, organic sunflower seeds are pretty inexpensive.

It would be better, in my mind, to eat cooked fruits and veggies than cooked nuts and seeds. Being raw, I am sure a person would NOT even consider that so why aren't some of you more concerned about the nuts and seeds?

I am really, really not trying to be hard on you. I just don't understand.

Cooked nuts and seeds are really, really bad for you. AND even raw, organic nuts and seeds that are not soaked to remove the enzyme inhibitors can be detrimental to your health, especially if you are doing raw for health reasons (or weight loss).

I haven't been on this forum for quite some time and it seems like there has been a loss of important information when I read some of your questions and posts.

It would be really, really nice if Alissa would post occasionally (even though she has her book for us to reference) and give advice.

That's part of why I haven't been around for awhile. I much more enjoy forums where the "owner" is involved.

Concerned, walnutty

so you're saying nuts and seeds are not as good for you as vegetables and leafy greens ?

i was eating them for protein and fatty acids content but i can easily give them up if there if they are inferior.

?

what would you say is the best way to get fatty acids ?

i have to admit that before i got the blender my diet consisted of almost exclusively nuts - probably half of all my calories - and i experienced pretty significant digestive problems. in retrospect it was pretty idiotic of me to continue with that diet.

i would just grab a whole bar of valrhona dark chocolate and a pound bag of TJ's hazelnuts and that would be my lunch :)

[walnutty]

Also, does anyone have any information about where to find organic or wild-crafted brazil nuts in the shell?


I used to purchase them from David Wolfe. His website is sunfood.com.

[walnutty]

so you're saying nuts and seeds are not as good for you as vegetables and leafy greens ?

i was eating them for protein and fatty acids content but i can easily give them up if there if they are inferior.

?

what would you say is the best way to get fatty acids ?


No, I was trying to say if a person was going to eat cooked nuts and seeds it would be better to eat cooked fruits and veggies...because of the fat and caloric content of nuts and seeds. A raw foodist wouldn't do that. So, why eat cooked nuts and seeds? Which was the point I was trying to make.

[Lukesgramma]

Thanks for the tip walnutty!

I checked sunfood, but they no longer have brazil nuts in the shell (darn). They do have the Blue Mountain sprouted brazils. I ended up going over to Blue Mountain and ordering their less expensive (unsprouted) raw shelled brazils.

The lady I spoke with over the phone said they really were raw.

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

I used to purchase them from David Wolfe. His website is sunfood.com.

Just so you know. David Wolfe has no longer anything to do with Sunfood Nutrition. In fact, he hasn't worked there for quite some time as far as I know, they have only been using his name for promotion purposes.

[Evie]

i BUY MY NUTS AND seeds from Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Vitaman Cottage. I have not had a bad batch yet from these sources. I sometimes by really raw cashews and almonds from The Raw food world.

[JennaHoneyBear]

Just so you know. David Wolfe has no longer anything to do with Sunfood Nutrition. In fact, he hasn't worked there for quite some time as far as I know, they have only been using his name for promotion purposes.

oh wow, this i was not aware of.

[DebB]

I used to buy all my nuts and seeds from TJ's, but they are not raw and never have been. I found this out a few years ago and the info from TJ's is on this forum somewhere.

Anyway, Raw From The Farm is a good resource. So is Rawguru.com. I also purchase some raw nuts from iherb.com and amazon.com because I have contacted the companies and found out that their nuts are truly raw.

These days, due to finances, I only use raw, organic sunflower seeds for nut and seed recipes. These I get at Whole Foods for $1.99 a lb.

Good luck!

Hi walnutty ~ If it's not too much trouble, would you please share which truly raw nuts & seeds you order from iHerb? I order from them monthly and found this interesting! I'm glad you shared that info!

Thanks in advance. *Ü*

[Lukesgramma]

I think next time I order Brazil nuts, it might be from this company:

http://www.essentiallivingfoods.com/bulk-sales/bulk-nuts-seeds.html.

[Cipriana]

I buy my raw nuts and seeds from an organic European brand, and they always taste good to me. I think it's quality that matters.