Who are these choices relevant to?

Vegan stock planners

If you use almonds regularly, compare pack sizes with how much you use and consider how you’ll seal the pack after opening. Albert Heijn states that the AH Terra products reviewed are labelled vegan; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing almonds in a cool, dark and dry place.

Occasional users

If you only buy almonds from time to time, choose a pack size that matches the amount you need. The PLUS and Jumbo product pages reviewed list smaller packs; even with a small pack, follow the storage instructions on the label.

Vegan cooks and snack buyers

The preparation you want may vary depending on whether you’re cooking, baking or snacking: you might be looking for unroasted, blanched or roasted almonds. The Dutch Association for Veganism recommends considering how a product is made as well as its ingredients when assessing whether it’s suitable for vegans.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what ingredients and preparation you’re looking for. Then choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and consider whether you can store the almonds properly once opened.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Vegan ingredients Read the full ingredients list and check any herbs, spices and flavourings. Also consider how the product is made if that’s relevant to your choice. If I’m planning vegan shopping, I want to be able to check the ingredients of the exact product. Around 29% of consumers make this their first priority.
Pack size Choose an amount that suits how often you use almonds and what you need them for. If you use almonds regularly, you’ll want a pack that suits your needs. Around 29% of consumers give the quantity and intended use top priority.
Storage after opening Check whether you can reseal the pack and follow the storage advice on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place. If I want to keep a supply, I’ll make sure I can seal the pack properly and store its contents appropriately. Around 24% of consumers put managing their supplies first.
Preparation Check whether the almonds are unroasted, blanched or roasted, and look out for added oil, salt or herbs and spices. For a recipe or snack, I’m looking for a particular preparation and want to know what else has been added. This is the top priority for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Looking only at the pack size

    A larger bag won’t necessarily suit how much you use or the preparation you’re looking for.

    Choose the type you want, then match the quantity to how often you use almonds and how you can store them.

  • Confusing unsalted with unroasted

    Unsalted doesn’t tell you whether the almonds are roasted or contain oil. The PLUS product reviewed is roasted and contains sunflower oil.

    Check the preparation and ingredients separately; don’t choose based only on the ‘unsalted’ label.

  • Checking only the main ingredient in seasoned almonds

    A seasoned product may also contain a seasoning mix and flavouring, as listed for the Duyvis product reviewed.

    Read the full ingredients list and check whether the exact variety is suitable for vegans.

  • Not sealing an opened pack properly

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, almonds are susceptible to mould, so it’s important to store them in a suitable place and seal the pack properly.

    Store them in a cool, dark and dry place, seal the pack securely and follow the instructions on the product.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The product range reviewed includes several AH Terra packs of unroasted almonds, as well as a blanched variety.

  • Albert Heijn labels the AH Terra products reviewed as vegan and lists almonds as an ingredient.
  • The 450 g blanched variety is not the same product as the unroasted AH Terra almonds.

PLUS

The 150 g pack of unsalted almonds reviewed is a roasted almond snack.

  • PLUS labels this product as vegan and lists its ingredients as 98% almonds and sunflower oil.
  • Here, unsalted doesn’t mean unroasted or made from almonds alone.

Jumbo

The 140 g pack of Unsalted Almonds reviewed contains 140 g.

  • Jumbo lists the ingredients as 99% almonds and sunflower oil.
  • An ingredients list with no explicitly animal-derived ingredients doesn’t, by itself, confirm that all requirements relating to how the product is made are met.

Duyvis

The Almonds Original product reviewed is an oven-roasted snack in a 125 g pack.

  • The product information describes it as a savoury, seasoned variety.
  • The ingredients list reviewed includes a seasoning mix with natural flavouring; check whether the exact variety is suitable for vegans.

ALDI

The TRADER JOE’S product reviewed contains 200 g of unroasted almonds.

  • ALDI describes this variety as untreated and packed in a resealable bag.
  • The roasted varieties with salt or smoky flavour are different products; don’t confuse their product features.

Lidl

The range name ‘Unsalted Almonds’ indicates that this is an unsalted variety.

  • The product name makes it easy to identify the salt option.
  • Check the pack itself for information about preparation, ingredients, pack size and vegan suitability.

Almond products at Joybuy

These products come in different pack sizes and varieties; check the ingredients on the product packaging if vegan suitability is important to you.

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels, 160 g

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels, 160 g

A 160 g pack to consider if you need a smaller amount of almonds.

Pack size: 160 g.

View at Joybuy
g'woon raw, unsalted almonds, 200 g

g'woon raw, unsalted almonds, 200 g

An option to consider if you’re looking for raw, unsalted almonds.

Preparation and salt: raw and unsalted. Pack size: 200 g.

View at Joybuy
Anatolia Badem Natural (Almond), 500 gr

Anatolia Badem Natural (Almond), 500 gr

A 500 gr pack for anyone looking for a larger amount of almonds.

Pack size: 500 gr.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether almonds are suitable for my vegan shopping?

Check the ingredients for the exact product and consider how it’s made if that’s relevant to your choice. The Dutch Association for Veganism recommends considering both; don’t judge suitability based only on the brand name or the word ‘almonds’.

Does unsalted also mean unroasted?

No. Unsalted tells you only about the salt, not necessarily how the almonds are prepared. For example, the PLUS product reviewed is unsalted and roasted, and contains sunflower oil. So check both the preparation and the ingredients.

How do I choose between a large and a small pack?

Choose an amount that suits how often you use almonds and that you can store properly once opened. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing almonds in a cool, dark and dry place; also check the seal and the instructions on the pack.

How should I store opened almonds?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing unsalted almonds in a cool, dark and dry place, and sealing them securely. Also follow the specific storage and best-before information on your pack.

Is a vegan label the same as allergen information?

No. Check vegan suitability and allergens separately. Almonds are tree nuts, so check the current pack for allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be declared on food labels.