Why are almonds pasteurized?

Much like raw milk, raw almonds can harbor food-borne diseases that make people sick. … The most common way to pasteurize almonds in the United States, according to research from Food Safety News, is with a chemical: propylene oxide, or PPO.

The Almond Board of California even conducted extensive testing to see what effect this treatment has on pasteurized almonds. They determined that it does not change the nutritional value at all. Other independent third parties have also confirmed that pasteurization doesn’t change almond nutrition.

U.S. organic almond growers are not free to sell their natural raw product and we, as consumers, cannot buy raw almonds grown in the U.S. In 2007, the USDA mandated that all U.S. grown almonds be pasteurized (heated) or, for non-organic almonds, gassed with the toxic gas propylene oxide (PPO), a probable human …

This can be a concern to some consumers who do not consider pasteurized almonds to be truly “raw”. Fortunately, steam pasteurized almonds can still sprout and are therefore considered “raw” by most individuals.

But almonds are the only nut, seed or dried fruit that must — by law — be pasteurized. If they’re not steamed, they must be fumigated with a chemical called propylene oxide, or PPO. The regulation is a result of two salmonella outbreaks traced to almonds in the early 2000s.

Summary Eating one or two handfuls of almonds per day can lead to mild reductions in “bad” LDL cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.

Almonds are a good source of Vitamin B9(Folate/folic acid). It’s an integral part of nutrients required during pregnancy as it helps in the neurological development of the fetus and helps in the prevention of many birth defects. Almonds are rich in dietary fibers.

You need to balance your overall calorie consumption to add almonds safely to your diet. Dietitian Ruchika Jain recommends that the safe limit is 6-8 almonds each day. Soaked almonds are also beneficial, you can soak them overnight and consume them in the morning. It is also advised to avoid fried and salted almonds.

You may also simply prefer the taste and texture. Yet, you don’t have to soak these nuts to enjoy their health benefits. Both soaked and raw almonds provide many important nutrients, including antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats.

Both Have a Similar Nutrient Content Although, roasted nuts have slightly more fat and calories per gram, but the difference is minimal. One ounce (28 grams) of raw almonds contains 161 calories and 14 grams of fat, whereas the same amount of dry-roasted almonds contains 167 calories and 15 grams of fat (8, 9).

Though they have been proven as effective in curing spasms and pain, if you consume them in excess, it can lead to toxicity in your body. This is because they contain hydrocyanic acid, an over-consumption of which can lead to breathing problem, nervous breakdown, choking and even death!

Raw, Natural, Cooked, Blanched, Pasteurized—Almonds Are Delicious. … You know that raw almonds are actually pasteurized almonds that haven’t been blanched, and you know that natural almonds are raw almonds.

While you can eat the almond straight from the tree, it usually tastes better after drying. The drying process is also important in preventing the almonds from molding when you store them. Once you shake a kernel and the seed inside rattles, crack the kernel open and eat the seed nut.

Almonds are rich in valuable nutrients for your body, like magnesium, vitamin E, and dietary fiber. A single serving of almonds makes for a nutritious and filling snack. Almonds have calcium and phosphorus, which improve bone health and can protect you from fractures.

Walnuts can be eaten raw, as they are, or toast to bring out more of their flavour: place the nuts on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake on a medium heat for 10-12 mins. They are ready when the kernels turn golden.