Saturday, June 8, 2013

Smoked Almonds Are A Healthy Snack

By Lucille Lamb


The almond tree is the source of smoked almonds. The largest producer is the United States and people buy nearly three million a year. They do grow in the wild but these bitter almonds are deadly, in fact, this seed is what is used to make cyanide.

Many people think of the almond as a nut but this food is really a fruit that grows on a tree. It can be eaten when the fruit is still green but is quite sour. Still, it is a delicacy to some people. When the fruit matures it gets hard and must be shelled before eaten. The seed in the middle is then harvested and either eaten raw or processed. People have been eating them for at least 3,000 years and they have been found in tombs dating back this long. They were originally grown in the Mediterranean and are some of the very first harvested nuts.

There are over two million tons of almonds sold every year. Most, almost 80%, come from the United States. Most come from California and this is a huge crop in the state. Around three billion dollars is received in the country from sales of this seed. Most of the sales are from the shelled version.

There are bitter and sweet varieties of almond, but most people are only aware of sweet; this is the only one that is commercially produced. The bitter one can be lethal as this is what is used to make cyanide. The sweet nut is available in many different flavors, including chocolate, salted, roasted, raw, and many more.

Although often eaten alone, these seeds are also used as an ingredient in many foods. They are found in cookies, candies, and cakes as well as numerous types of savory dishes. They are also available any many forms, such as sliced, flaked, milk, flour, and butter and are used by many people as a low carbohydrate alternative.

One thing about this nut is that it has been shown to be a great source of healthy fat. This nut is also high in protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. It is good for both the nervous system and the heart and reduces sugar after eating. They are high in calcium and vitamin E as well as protein. Eating too many would not be healthy but that is true of most foods.

It is easy to smoke this nut at home by simply putting it on a cookie sheet or pan and cooking it over a flame. Many manufacturers use a version of this but, of course, using factory equipment. Some use cold smoking, which is a method that is both slower and more complicated. Either way, the decision on how to smoke them generally depends on the end purpose.

There are many different flavors of smoked almonds. Also, they can be made in a wide variety of ways from at home over a fire to a factory. They are made with both hot and cold methods. This little seed is a great source of vitamins and can be a great healthy snack to add to a dietary plan.




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