Tag: Baking with almonds

According to the Almond Board of California, over 80% of the world's almonds are produced in California, and a significant portion of this harvest is processed for specific culinary needs. These processes include blanching, which removes the skin, allowing consumers to easily buy almonds without the skin on them.

The USDA classifies shelled almonds into several grades, but figuring out which almond grade is best depends entirely on your intended use. The highest grade, U.S. Fancy, is prized for its visual perfection, but for many applications, a lower, more economical grade might be the ideal choice.

According to the USDA, a single cup of whole, shelled almonds weighs approximately 143 grams (or about 5 ounces), providing a significant amount of nutrients in one serving. Knowing exactly what is 1 cup of almonds—beyond just its volume—is essential for accurate cooking, precise baking, and managing your dietary intake effectively.

Almonds, technically seeds of the almond tree, come in different forms, with the most fundamental distinction being blanched versus unblanched. The meaning of Unblanched almonds is simply raw almonds that have not undergone the process of skin removal, retaining their natural, brown coating, which is rich in fiber and antioxidants. This makes them a more rustic and nutrient-dense option for cooking, baking, and snacking.