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almonds in many forms

A form for every function

California almonds are one of the most popular snack ingredients and the number one nut globally for new product introductions in 2018.1   Available in more forms than any other tree nut, almonds are an essential ingredient with endless texture and flavor potential in product development across categories.

Natural or Blanched?

While natural almonds have their skin still on, blanched means the skins have been removed through a process of scalding, skin removal, drying, cooling and sorting. Whole, Meal, Flour, Sliced/ Flakes, Silvers/Halves, and Diced/ Chopped almonds are all available natural or blanched. Roasting brings out the flavor and color of blanched almonds, while natural almonds have the well-known nutty flavor and are suitable for all-around use

Almond Roasting

Almond roasting emphasizes the natural attributes of almonds – deepening the color and flavor profile, and creating crispier, crunchier texture. Remember to package almonds properly by removing oxygen from the packaging environment, either through nitrogen flushing or vacuum. This will help provide a much longer shelf-life. Learn more here.
almonds table

Whole Almonds

With whole almonds the options are limitless – blend them into dips or sauces, make fresh almond milk by soaking and straining, or slice and dice them into any of the other forms listed here.

Whole almonds are the most frequently consumed form when it comes to snacking. 2

Add natural or roasted almonds to snack mixes, coat or enrobe them in on-trend flavors, or use whole almonds for added crunch and visual appeal in snack clusters, confectionary, or as an inclusion in bars.
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Almond Flour & Meal

Use almond meal as a coating for bites or to add crunch and texture to crusts, bars, and baked goods. Almond flour is a wholesome alternative to other flours and is suited for gluten-free baking, as a sauce thickener or a key ingredient in crackers, breads and cereals. 

Both made from ground almonds, almond flour is typically made from blanched almonds and is ground more finely than almond meal. 

The coarser almond meal will give your product a more pronounced mouthfeel and texture, whereas almond flour has a lighter texture. 
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almonds flour and meal
almonds butter

Almond Butter

84 percent of consumers agree that almond butter enhances the taste of other foods when used as an ingredient.3

Almond butter can work as a standalone spread or dip, as a layer, drizzle, or binder in bars, cookies, and bakery items, a thickener in beverages/smoothies and a filling or coating in confectionery products.
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Green Almonds

The first green almonds are usually picked around April 1, and are in a gelatinous state that can be consumed whole – including the hull.

Green almonds have fuzzy outsides with insides ranging from soft and jelly-like to smooth and creamy, depending on when they’re harvested. They have a distinct but subtle flavor that is described as delicate, grassy, and fruity -- reminiscent of a cucumber -- turning more nutty the later they are harvested. 
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green almonds
almonds paste

Almond Paste

Almond paste is typically used as a filling or binder in baked bars, pies and cakes to help create a chewier texture. “Chewy” is the number one texture claim among almond introductions of bars.1

Almond paste has been compared to marzipan but it’s actually quite different. Almond paste is less sweet, coarser
and used in different applications than marzipan (also referred to as almond candy dough). 
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Almond Milk

New product introductions for dairy alternatives grew 13 percent in 2018.1 Almond milk’s volume grew by more than 11 percent in 2018, more than it has over the past several years.4

Lactose-free, dairy-free, and free from cholesterol and saturated fat, almond milk can be sweetened, unsweetened, fortified or blended with other dairy alternatives. Almond milk is extremely versatile for carrying flavors in bottled coffee drinks and smoothies, and an ideal ingredient in cross-category beverages, like a cold-pressed juice or coffee, dips and spreads. Almond milk is a great way to add creaminess to sauces, frostings, coatings, overnight oats, packaged soups and stews.
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almonds milk
almonds slices and flakes

Slices & Flakes

Almond slices also offer visual appeal that lends a premium look to products across categories.

Almond slices or flakes are just that – blanched or natural almonds that have been cut along their diameter creating larger pieces. 

This form is a great alternative to whole almonds when you’re looking for an inclusion in a softer, baked good or snack bar, but still want an added crunch. 
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Almond Oil

Refined types of almond oil are best suited for frying or oven baking, whereas cold-pressed gives strong flavor without being heated.

Almond oil lends a uniquely nutty, toasty flavor to just about anything – from cakes, cookies and muffins to chips, popcorn snacks and breads. Add the rich, amaretto-like flavor of almonds to salad dressings or sauces using almond oil. 
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almonds oil
slivered almonds

Slivered Almonds

Did you know, “crunchy” is the top texture claim for products with almonds?1

Utilize almond slivers or halves as an inclusion or topping in bars, bakery and confectionery products to add the crunch consumers crave. Almond slivers are also the perfect addition to salad toppers, trail mixes, and granola.
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Diced

Almonds are the number one ingredient in global consumers’ ideal chocolate products, and according to consumers, almonds make chocolate crunchier (85%) and more nutritious (84%).

Use this form in sweeter applications like a coating for ice cream bars, a filling for bakery and confectionery products or as topping or inclusion with chocolate products.
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diced almonds
chopped almonds

Chopped

Almonds are a favored ingredient in chocolate, as they enhance the crunchiness and nutritional value of chocolate products. Their versatility makes them suitable for both baking and confectionery, making them a common choice in many recipes.

Chopped almonds are almonds that have been diced or cut into small pieces. They are commonly used in various applications to enhance texture and add flavor. Chopped almonds can bring a delightful crunch and mouthfeel to many dishes. They are particularly popular in sweeter applications
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Defatted Almond 
Flour

This new form has an extra-fine texture and clean taste that allows for more versatility and less masking agents— letting other ingredients shine and contributing to a clean and gluten-free label. Use this flour to add density to bars, as a substitute in crusts, or as a binder.

Defatted almond flour is simply finely ground almond flour from which a percentage of the oil has been removed. Depending on the amount removed, this process can decrease the amount of calories and fat per serving.
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defatted almonds

References

1. 2018 Global New Product Introductions. Innova Market Insights. May 2019. 
2. Consumer AAU: United States. Sterling Rice Group. 2018. 
3. Almond Butter Attitude & Usages. Sterling Rice Group. April 2018. 
4. 2018 Nielsen US Retail Product Movement Study. Nielsen. 2018. 

5. Global Chocolate Study. Sterling Rice Group. 2018.