MaraNatha Raw Almond Butter

[Misty*Mountain]

So while I was at my local health food store this afternoon, I picked up a jar of MaraNatha Raw Almond Butter. Got home, dipped some bananas in it, and was pleased by how delightfully yummy it tasted!

Fast forward to about 8 hours later (about 1/2 an hour ago). I was just browsing another raw food forum and I was dismayed to learn that MaraNatha Almond Butter is "NOT raw, is loaded with mold, and contains more toxins than commercial peanut butter"!! You can imagine my frustration and dissapointment upon this discovery, after just having spent like $15 for one jar!

Moral of my story... eh, you just NEVER know sometimes~ :eek:

(I guess I should just start making my own Almond Butter.. It's not too complicated, right?? :confused: )

[misslinda]

OOPS! sorry about that....I know it's so dissappointing.

To clarify, yes they use raw sweet almonds but it's in the production process that they heat it at high levels beyond raw standards. I told the representative that alot of us raw vegans were disappointed and that they would notice a decline in sales. Her response was that it is economical for them. I'd imagine true raw becomes demanded, they will prodice one to our liking.

:)

[tracyb519]

Oh, yuck! I just finished off a jar a few days ago of the Maranatha raw almond butter. That is too bad, because I thought it was good too. I did try making almond butter through my champion juicer but I didn't like the taste.


So, what is the most healthiest, organic, raw almond butter out there?

Thanks,
Tracy

[danened]

Where did you get the information about mold and toxins. I just bought a jar two days ago and still have the receipt to return it. I will just try making my own. I have a Green Star juicer and I understand that it will make almond butter.
Thanks

[misslinda]

Oh, yuck! I just finished off a jar a few days ago of the Maranatha raw almond butter. That is too bad, because I thought it was good too. I did try making almond butter through my champion juicer but I didn't like the taste.


So, what is the most healthiest, organic, raw almond butter out there?

Thanks,
Tracy


here is a site that i hear about

http://www.rawganique.com/Food/raw-organic-almond-butter.htm



Description of how they produce their raw almond butter

Handmade with care, our organic live almond butters are crafted using a special low heat process that always preserves the life-essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and enzymes.

Fresh We hand-select only the finest new-harvest organic almonds for our butters - our raw organic almonds and walnuts are the best California has to offer.

Quality Our raw and organic almond butter is hand crafted in small batches in Berkeley, CA with careful attention to detail.

Organic We only use 100% certified Organic nuts and seeds, which means no toxic pesticides, chemicals, or genetically modified organisms. (Certified by the CCOF)

Pure We don't add any extra ingredients. No salt, sugar, preservatives or artificial flavors - Nothing. Which means that all you get is the clean, fresh taste of nuts and seeds the way nature intended.

Raw The nuts and seeds we use are fresh, not roasted, and made into butter with a low temperature process (always below 115º F). This means that all of the enzymes, proteins and vitamins are intact, in their natural state and fully utilized by the body. Heat destroys these sensitive nutrients. Healthy Nuts and seeds in the form that we make them - totally raw and organic and processed into butter (purée) - are among the most basic and healthy foods one can eat on the planet, offering to the consumer:

• Non-animal proteins and enzymes • Vitamins and Minerals • Essential fatty-acids (including Omega-3, of which Walnut butter has the most -- though less than our raw hemp butter, of course) • Fiber

All of the above are available to the body in the form that is more readily digestible than consuming whole nuts...making them easily digestible and truly whole foods.

Kosher Our raw and organic almond butter is KSA Kosher certified. NONE of our raw organic nut butters needs to be refrigerated. GLUTEN, PEANUT, SOY and DAIRY FREE

[tracyb519]

Wow...that alomond butter sounds great...thanks Misslinda! :)

[pdx kris]

you guys it's so easy to make your own almond butter, and much cheaper!!! i make it as well as fresh tahini just about every week using my cuisinart!

[swingbolder]

I just started making my own almond butter.

First I grind up the almonds in the dry container of the vitamix.

Then I transfer to the food processor and add some olive oil. Mix up.

[jennifuh]

:eek: I have been eating that stuff like crazy.putting it in also. I am so po'd. Thank you for sharing that info!

[maraw]

I've tried making my own AB too, but was disappointed with the taste and texture. I have both a VitaMix and a food processor. Does anyone have a good recipe - I need measurements here, please.

Thanks.
Anna

Also greatly disappointed to read about MaraNatha. I have eaten this for the past year...

[Amberly]

What??? No wonder it makes me feel like s*** even when I have just a spoonful. It's too d*** expensive to buy thinking it's raw. I'm so sick of deceptive advertising. I may as well have been eating regular peanut butter! It sure as heck tastes better than that Maranatha crap. :mad:

[prana]

For those of you that have made your own almond butter, where do you get your raw almonds?

There are many different types of almonds, some have a lot of oil, but most are bread for low oil content so they last in storage longer and are more appealing to "low fat" diets.

I have tried to make my own butter, but it is always dry. Most pre-prepared raw almond butters only have almonds in them and they don't add extra oil. How can we achieve this at home?

[ljannise]

I use Woodstock Farms. Anyone know anything about this company??

I did have a jar of MaraNatha (sp?) of Sesame Tahini. DARN!!

This really shocked me so I ran in the kitchen really quick.

DANG!!

It does explain a lot though.

I hope Woodstock really is raw???

[ljannise]

Woodstock has a jar for roasted & a jar for raw. So I'm hoping..... hoping.

If not, it would explain SO much. My 5 pound solid weight gain.

I swear, if you dont make it YOURSELF, it doesnt seem to be very trustworthy!!

[sigtau66]

You have got to be kidding me. I just bought a jar and am only about 1/4 of the way through it. *sigh*

I think my jar of tahini is from MaraNatha also...wonder if it's truly raw.

[Amberly]

Ah geez1 My tahini is Maranatha too! :mad:

[misslinda]

Oh boy, i'm sorry to all of you that sucks in the big time !!!!!!!!!

too bad, cuz their almonds are not the standard ones we often see at the HFS. They use what the rep referred to as "sweet almonds" that's why the flavor has a special quality to it.............only if it was raw. :(

[JMD]

MissL,

Thanks for the info---it was quite a bummer to me to realizing it is NOT raw to the standards we would hope for. BUT it motivates me to make my own and save some $$$$$:)

JMD

[misslinda]

Jen, do you have a vita mix

[Misty*Mountain]

Alright so who's got a good Almond Butter recipe?? Just bought a bunch of almonds (man, they're expensive! :eek: ).. Should I soak them first?? should I use my food processor to make the butter?? Should I add oil?? I'm clueless here. :p

[jennifuh]

do not have a vitamix thingie...not even sure what it is...hee. guess I will get a food processor...but have no clue which one is best?

[JinxieKat]

Vitamix is a fancy, powerful blender. I feel like a guy with a powertool with it.. More power! More Power! Muwhahaha!

*ahem*

Anyway, sorry about that :D I would get a multi speed food processor, I think most are. I have a GE one I got for $50.00 last year at Target or Kmart that I love. It makes the creamiest sprouted hummus.. Yum! Though it could use more power..... :p

Jinx

[jorjeni]

nevermind LOL