Almonds are sometimes called a super food because they’re full of heart-healthy fats. One handful provides lots of energy and can even regulate blood sugar. Try them raw or roasted and salted.
Fun Facts
- Almonds are related to cherries, peaches, and apricots.
- Some people are allergic to almonds. These same people are sometimes allergic to peaches, nectarines, and other fruits in the same family.
- Almonds are a good source of fiber, protein, and heart-healthy fats.
- The part we eat – the seed – is surrounded by a fuzzy hull that feels a little like a peach.
- During the harvest, the hulls are peeled away. This part is sometimes sold to farmers for animal bedding.
- Raw almonds are pasteurized to destroy harmful bacteria.
- Almond milk is a healthy substitute for cow’s milk. You can make your own by pulverizing almonds with water and a sweetener in a food processor.
Vocabulary
- Allergic: to react negatively to something
- Hull: the outer shell
- Pulverize: to finely grind
Questions and Answers
Question: Can I cook with almonds?
Answer: Almonds are used in many cookies and candies. They can also be ground and used as a coating for meat or fish or added to salads and stir-fries.
Learn More
Watch an almond harvest.
