Christmas party hosts
You want to serve almonds in several bowls or at different times. Look out for the difference between a multipack of full-size packs and small portions; Albert Heijn lists multipacks supplied as individual packs.
Who are multipacks or individual packs suitable for?
Lunchbox packers
You want to take or pack smaller amounts. Check the weight per pack and consider whether you want to portion the almonds yourself. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
Label-conscious sharers
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed before sharing. Unroasted almonds, seasoned almonds and nut mixes are different products, so check the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on allergen information.
What should you look for in almonds for sharing and lunchboxes?
First decide whether you want to share full-size packs or need smaller portions. Then check the variety and the information relevant to the people who’ll be eating with you.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| How much to share | Check the number of packs and the weight of each one. Multipacks may contain separate individual packs. | I want enough for several bowls without ending up with too much left over; around 31% of consumers give having enough to share top priority. |
| Lunchbox portions | Check how many grams are in each pack and whether you’ll need to weigh out portions yourself. | I want to pack a small amount in a lunchbox without portioning it from a large pack every time; around 25% of consumers prioritise convenience when taking food with them. |
| Ingredients and flavour | Read the ingredients list and check whether salt, oil or flavourings are included. | I want to know whether I’m serving plain almonds or a seasoned variety; around 19% of consumers base their choice mainly on ingredients and flavour. |
| Suitable for your guests | Check the allergen information and consider the form of the nuts when serving young children. | If guests have allergies or there are young children, I want to check the label and product format; around 13% of consumers give suitability for their guests the greatest weight. |
| Leftovers | Compare the total contents of the multipack with how much you expect to use, and check how opened packs should be stored. | I don’t want more left over than I can use later; around 12% of consumers focus mainly on quantity and leftovers. |
Common mistakes when choosing almond packs
-
Assuming a bulk multipack contains small lunchbox bags
A multipack with several 450 g packs contains full-size packs, not small portions to take with you. So the number of packs doesn’t tell you how many grams are in each bag.
Check the weight per pack. You can weigh out smaller portions yourself.
Portioning them yourself takes preparation and may mean you need resealable containers.
-
Assuming unsalted means the product contains only almonds
Ingredients can vary from product to product. PLUS lists only almonds in its 200 g unroasted, unsalted almonds; Duyvis Unsalted Almonds also lists sunflower oil.
Read the ingredients list if you want to check what’s in the product; the product name alone isn’t enough.
-
Assuming a small portion is suitable for every guest
Portion size doesn’t change the allergens present or the fact that the nuts are whole. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
Check the allergen information and keep the original packaging to hand. Follow the dietary advice for young children.
-
Buying more than you want to store or use
A multipack of six 450 g packs contains 2,700 g in total. Once opened, it’s important to reseal and store the packs properly.
Think about how many packs you want to use during and after the party, and follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Unused stock takes up storage space, and the quality of opened almonds can deteriorate over time.
Brands and pack formats compared
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists multipacks of unroasted almonds in 4 × 450 g and 6 × 450 g sizes, as well as a 4 × 175 g multipack of smoked almonds.
- The multipack pages state the number of packs and that they’re supplied as individual items.
- These are full-size packs for stocking up and sharing, not small lunchbox bags. The smoked variety is different from unroasted almonds.
Duyvis
Duyvis lists Unsalted Almonds and Almonds Original in 125 g packs.
- According to the manufacturer, the varieties have different ingredients: Unsalted Almonds lists almonds and sunflower oil; Almonds Original lists 97% almonds with savoury flavourings.
- The manufacturer’s descriptions aren’t independent taste reviews. A listing for an old 4 × 30 g pack isn’t a current purchase option.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 200 g stand-up pouch of unroasted, unsalted almonds.
- The ingredients list states that it contains only almonds.
- A single stand-up pouch isn’t a multipack; you’ll need to portion it yourself if you want smaller servings.
ALDI
ALDI lists 200 g almonds under the TRADER JOE'S product brand, including unroasted and roasted varieties.
- The listing for unroasted almonds mentions resealable packaging.
- The roasted varieties differ in flavour, including salted and smoked options; they’re sold in individual packs, not multipacks.
Lidl
Lidl lists almonds in 200 g bags and marks the product listing as ‘In store only’.
- The bag weight is listed, so you can factor it into your choice for sharing or portioning yourself.
- The listing doesn’t confirm that small portion bags are available and doesn’t provide enough information to assess the ingredients or flavourings.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s Dutch almond range includes, among other options, 150 g salted almonds, 140 g unsalted almonds and 175 g organic unroasted almonds.
- The varieties listed offer different preparation styles and flavours to compare on the label.
- A category page doesn’t prove that a multipack is available; the specific 140 g unroasted variety is listed as no longer available online.
Almonds at Joybuy to portion yourself
These are individual packs of almonds for you to portion out into bowls or lunchboxes yourself, not multipacks or small factory-portioned servings.
No image available
g'woon raw, unsalted almonds, 200 g
A good choice if you want to portion plain almonds from one pack into bowls or lunchboxes yourself.
The pack contains 200 g; the product information lists almonds as the only ingredient.
It’s one pack, not a multipack or separate small portions.
No image available
Anatolia Badem Natural almonds, 500 g
A good choice if you want to share a larger pack between bowls or portion it yourself.
The pack contains 500 g; the product information states that it’s made from 100% almonds.
It’s one pack, not a multipack or separate small portions.
No image available
Jia Zhou Yuan Ye almond kernels, 160 g
A good choice if you want to portion a smaller pack into bowls or lunchboxes yourself.
The pack contains 160 g; the product information states that it’s made from 100% almond kernels.
It’s one pack, not a multipack or separate small portions.
Frequently asked questions about almonds for Christmas and lunchboxes
How do you work out how many almonds to buy for a party?
First decide how many grams you want to serve, then multiply that by the number of guests who’ll be having almonds. Compare the amount you’ve planned with the total contents of the multipack: for example, Albert Heijn lists 1,800 g for the 4-pack of unroasted almonds and 2,700 g for the 6-pack.
Does a serving size on the label mean each serving is individually wrapped?
No. The 175 g AH smoked almonds list a serving size of 25 g and seven servings, but the product comes in one resealable tub. So in this case, the serving size in the nutritional information doesn’t mean there are seven bags inside.
Does ‘unsalted’ mean a product contains only almonds?
No, check the ingredients list to find out. PLUS lists only almonds in its 200 g unroasted, unsalted almonds; Duyvis Unsalted Almonds also lists sunflower oil.
What should you consider when serving almonds to guests with allergies or young children?
Check the allergen information on the packaging and keep it to hand when serving the almonds. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the requirement to provide allergen information; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4 because of the risk of choking.
How should you store opened, unsalted almonds?
Store them in a well-sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping opened, unsalted almonds in a kitchen cupboard for six months or in the freezer for one year; their quality may deteriorate after that. For unopened packs, follow the storage advice on the label.