Almonds

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Almonds are a species deciduous small tree of the Rosaceae family. The fruit of the almond tree is also called by the same name. Almonds are one of the ancient foods that have been written about in historical texts, including the Bible. Almonds are believed to originate from regions in West Asia and North Africa. The Romans called almonds "walnuts" because they believed that this was the civilization that first cultivated them.

Today, almonds are grown in many countries in the Mediterranean region, including Spain, Italy, Portugal and Morocco, as well as in California.

Composition of almonds

Almonds are a very good source of vitamin E and manganese. They are a good source of magnesium, copper, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and phosphorus. Fortunately, although a quarter cup of almonds contains about 18 grams of fat, most of them (11 grams) are heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. 35 grams of almonds contain 205 calories and 7.62 grams of protein.

Almonds contain large amounts of amino acids, biotin, niacin, unsaturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids. They are rich in antioxidants, fiber and protein. They contain more calcium than all other types of nuts.

Types of almonds

Almonds are classified into two categories: sweet and bitter. Sweet almonds are the species that is edible. They are oval in shape, usually with a soft texture and a great buttery taste. They are available on the market with both shells and shelled shells. Peeled almonds are available whole, sliced or chopped in their natural form, with the peel or blanched with the peel removed.

Bitter almonds are used to make almond oil, which is used as a spice for foods and liqueurs such as Amaretto. They are not edible because they contain toxic substances such as hydrocyanic acid. These compounds are removed in the process of producing almond oil.

Selection and storage of almonds

The almonds that come with their shells have the longest shelf life. When buying them, it is necessary to choose those whose shells are not separated, outdated or colored. They need to be the same color and not soft or wrinkled. The smell of almonds is also decisive. They should smell sweet and tasty, if they have a sharp and bitter smell, it means that they are rancid.

When choosing roasted almonds, it is necessary to choose those that are "dry roasted", as they are not cooked in oil.

Because almonds are high in fat, it is important to store them properly to prevent rancidity. Peeled almonds are stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.

The almonds will be preserved for several months if stored in a refrigerator, and if frozen, they can be stored for up to a year.

Almonds in cooking

Almonds can be eaten raw, roasted and dried. They are a great addition to salads and porridges; oatmeal and muesli; protein shakes and pasta. Almonds are often used as part of a garnish for game and fish. Experienced chefs advise to combine almonds with olives and carrots, and with the resulting mixture to garnish lean fish - such as tuna and shark.

The culinary products that are extracted from almonds are: almond oil and butter, almond flour, almond paste and almond essence. Almonds are used in a number of pastries, cakes and ice creams. They can also be consumed on their own because almonds are a very useful breakfast between meals.

To get the most out of almonds, they should be soaked in water for at least 8 hours, then rinsed. In this way, the inhibitors are removed from them and they become easier to digest.

C almonds you can prepare great almond cake, almond liqueur, caramelized almonds, baklava with almonds and countless almond cakes to enchant your loved ones and friends.

Benefits of almonds

Consumption of almonds leads to a decrease in the levels of the so-called. LDL fat and to reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition to healthy fats and vitamin E, a quarter cup of almonds also contains almost 99 mg of magnesium (which is 24.7% of the daily value for this important mineral) plus 257 mg of potassium. Magnesium helps to relax and unwind the veins and arteries.

Almonds provide double protection against diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Almonds provide protection against heart problems due to their high content of antioxidants. Whole almonds (with the shell) are more beneficial for heart health. A handful of almonds a day helps reduce bad cholesterol, which also helps heart health.

The healthy fats contained in almonds help to lose weight. Although high in calories, almonds actually help control weight. It is believed that people who eat a few almonds a day consume less carbohydrates and thus lose weight.

Manganese, honey and riboflavin, contained in almonds, provide assistance in energy production.

Consumption of almonds helps prevent the formation of gallstones. Almonds are extremely rich in protein.

They are extremely useful for breakfast - both morning and snack. They create a feeling of satiety and are an excellent alternative to white flour, which has a number of risks to the waist and health.

Compared to other nuts, almonds have much less fat. On the other hand, they are much richer in zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

Almonds are excellent food for colds and flu. According to some studies, ingredients in the shell of almonds enhance the immune system's response to such infections. The beneficial substances in almonds also increase the protective abilities of white blood cells.

Almonds are extremely useful and for skin health. Due to the high content of magnesium, these nuts help in the formation of collagen. Collagen in turn

is responsible for the youthful appearance and elasticity of the skin. With age, the loss of collagen in the body is increasing, so you need to look for ways to get it. Almonds are an excellent choice. They are low in calories and have a number of other health benefits.

Harm from almonds

Roasted almonds for commercial purposes are usually prepared by frying, usually in more saturated fats such as coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Deep fried foods have high levels of LDL (the bad form of cholesterol) and cause the walls of the arteries to constrict.

Almonds are among the few foods that contain measurable amounts of oxylates, naturally occurring substances in plants, animals and humans. When oxylates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can become sugary and cause health problems. For this reason, people with pre-existing and untreated kidney or bile problems should be avoided consumption of almonds.

Almonds are also one of the foods that most often lead to allergic side effects.

Weight loss with almonds

According to a number of studies, eating a handful of almonds helps people lose weight because they suppress appetite for the rest of the day. In addition, almonds are considered very useful because they have a very low glycemic index (measuring how fast a food causes blood sugar levels to rise after eating).

Thanks to its low glycemic index, almonds help increase blood sugar levels more slowly and steadily, and this makes people feel full for a longer period of time. For this reason, almonds are a great snack during a diet.