Who is this buying guide for?

Organic-minded host

You want to serve organic almonds and look for product information you can verify, not just a natural-looking product or an unsalted option. The European Commission explains what information should accompany the EU organic logo.

Buying for drinks and breakfast

You’re looking for unroasted, unsalted almonds for drinks and perhaps breakfast too. Compare the pack size with how much you plan to use, and check how to store the rest once opened. AH suggests using its 400 g option with yoghurt.

Hosting guests with dietary requirements

You want to check the allergen information on the exact pack before serving. For young children, the warning about choking on whole nuts is also relevant; the AH and Jumbo product pages reviewed include this warning.

What should you look for when buying?

Start by checking the organic product information. Then choose based on flavour and quantity, and make sure the pack suits the guests you’re welcoming.

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this important for?
Organic credentials Check the organic designation, EU organic logo and control code on the packaging. The European Commission explains the information that should accompany the logo. If I want to serve organic almonds at my drinks party, I look for credentials I can check on the packaging. Around 33% of consumers put confidence in organic credentials first when buying.
Flavour profile Check whether the exact product is unroasted and unsalted, and read the ingredients for any added flavourings. If I also want to use the almonds for breakfast, a simple option may work better for both occasions than an already-seasoned party snack. Around 27% of consumers prioritise versatility.
Quantity and storage Compare the net weight with how much you plan to serve, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If almonds are just one of several nibbles, I don’t want to open more than I can use or store properly. Around 20% of consumers focus mainly on quantity and leftovers.
Suitable for your guests Check the information about allergens present or that may be present. For young children, bear the warning about whole nuts in mind. If I’m hosting guests with relevant allergies or have young children at the table, I want to know what the packaging says beforehand and make an appropriate choice about how to serve them. Around 20% of consumers put suitability for their guests first.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming organic means suitable for every guest

    Organic almonds still contain almonds. The packs reviewed also list other allergens that may be present. For young children, the warning about choking on whole nuts may also be important.

    Check the exact pack before serving and take the needs of guests with relevant allergies into account. For young children, choose a different way to serve them rather than leaving a bowl of whole nuts within easy reach.

  • Assuming ‘natural’ or no added oil means organic

    A description of how a product is made or looks is not the same as an organic product designation. Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted without added oil or fat; this feature alone doesn’t demonstrate organic certification.

    Only count a product as an organic option if the organic product information on the specific pack supports this. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency explains that the term organic can’t simply be used for non-organic products.

  • Opening a large pack without a plan for the leftovers

    The packs reviewed range in size from 150 g to 400 g. A larger pack therefore calls for a plan for serving and storage.

    Decide in advance how much you want to open, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging after use. AH recommends sealing the 400 g option properly after use.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Biologisch has unroasted almond options in 150 g and 400 g sizes. These suit either a smaller bowl for drinks or serving at drinks and using for breakfast.

  • AH lists organic credentials and control codes for the options reviewed; the product information also gives the net weight and allergen details.
  • The 400 g option is a larger quantity to open, so check the storage instructions and information on the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo Biologisch Ongebrande Amandelen 175 g is an organic, unsalted option reviewed as a simple base for a drinks spread.

  • Jumbo lists the organic origin, control code NL-BIO-01 and storage instructions.
  • The product information mentions that other nuts, peanuts and sesame may be present. Read the allergen information on the current packaging.

PLUS

PLUS lists Biologisch and EU Organic Farming on a 150 g tub of almonds in its unsalted nuts category.

  • The product information lists almonds as the ingredient and includes storage instructions.
  • An organic designation or product category doesn’t, on its own, indicate a flavour benefit; check the specific packaging against what you need.

Duyvis

Duyvis describes its Almonds Original range as oven-roasted almonds for snacking, cooking and drinks.

  • According to Duyvis, the 125 g pack is oven-roasted without added oil or fat.
  • This is the manufacturer’s description, not proof of organic certification or an independent assessment of flavour.

Lidl

Lidl offers natural nuts and party snacks under the Alesto brand, including almonds.

  • The brand page is a starting point for exploring the range of almonds.
  • The description ‘natural’ isn’t a substitute for organic product information; assess each specific pack individually.

ALDI

The Dutch product page reviewed describes 200 g packs of TRADER JOE'S almonds in roasted, salted or smoked-flavour varieties.

  • The product page mentions resealable packaging.
  • Roasting, salt, smoked flavour and resealability don’t, on their own, demonstrate organic certification, and don’t necessarily apply to the whole range.

Almonds on Joybuy

Joybuy picks of raw, unsalted almonds that could work as a simple option for drinks.

g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted, 200 g

g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted, 200 g

The title describes 200 g of raw, unsalted almonds. Check the packaging for organic product information before choosing these as an organic option.

The product description recommends keeping the pack tightly sealed after opening.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does every organic pack need to have the same Dutch control code?

No. The European Commission explains that the EU organic logo is accompanied by a control code, but the code can vary from product to product. The 150 g AH pack reviewed lists IT-BIO-009; the 400 g AH option and the Jumbo option list NL-BIO-01. So check the information on the specific pack, rather than looking for one particular code.

Does organic mean the almonds were grown in the Netherlands?

No. The EU, non-EU or EU/non-EU farming designation refers to the agricultural ingredients, not the seller’s address. If you want to know what applies to a particular option, read the country-of-origin information on the packaging.

What should I do with leftover unsalted almonds?

Seal the pack tightly and follow the storage instructions on the label. For opened unsalted almonds, the Voedingscentrum gives general guidance of 6 months in a kitchen cupboard and 1 year in the freezer. This isn’t a shelf-life guarantee for a specific pack, so always check the product information.

Are organic almonds suitable for guests with a nut allergy?

Organic certification doesn’t make almonds suitable for someone with a relevant almond allergy. The AH and Jumbo options reviewed contain almonds; the Jumbo information also mentions that other allergens may be present. Read the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information on the exact pack, and take the guest’s needs into account when choosing.

Can I serve whole almonds to young children?

The AH and Jumbo product pages reviewed warn that young children can choke on nuts. So don’t leave a bowl of whole almonds within easy reach of young children. Ask their parent or carer about a suitable alternative treat.