For your Boxing Day buffet, choose only almonds whose organic certification can be verified for the specific product. Unroasted or natural does not automatically mean organic. Then check the ingredients, salt content and packaging. Unsalted almonds can work well in breakfast dishes, but remember to check the allergen information too, and tailor the quantity to your dishes and guests.
You want to check whether the specific product is organically certified, rather than relying on words such as natural or unroasted. The European Commission explains when the EU organic logo may be used, while the Skal Bio-checker can help you assess organic claims.
You’re looking for almonds to add to yoghurt, breakfast dishes or homemade bakes, for example, and want to check that they’re unsalted. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes unsalted nuts as a suitable choice within its dietary guidance.
You want to make it clear which buffet dishes contain almonds and consider how to serve them if young children will be joining you. The NVWA highlights information about specific nuts as something to consider for unpackaged foods; the MDL Fonds warns against serving whole nuts to children under four.
First, check the organic claim on the specific pack. Then compare the variety and quantity with what you need for your buffet.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Which consumers should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Verifiably organic | Check the organic claim and certification details on the specific product. The European Commission states that the EU organic logo may only be used on certified products; the Skal Bio-checker can help you assess organic claims. | If I specifically want to buy organic, I want to be able to verify the claim on the product rather than relying on its natural appearance. For around 33% of consumers, verifiable organic certification is their main buying priority. |
| Ingredients for breakfast dishes | Read the ingredients and salt information, and check whether the exact variety is unroasted, roasted or salted. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, unsalted nuts are included in the Dutch Wheel of Five. | For yoghurt, breakfast dishes or bakes, I want to choose a variety that suits the recipe without confusing unroasted with organic. For around 27% of consumers, these ingredients are their main buying priority. |
| Allergens and serving | Check the latest allergen information and say which dishes contain almonds. If serving children under four, bear in mind the MDL Fonds’ advice not to give them whole nuts. | If I’m serving guests, I want to know which dishes contain almonds and consider how to serve them to young children. Clear allergen information and an appropriate way of serving are the main buying priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Work out how much you need based on your recipes and planned portions. Compare the net weight and, once opened, follow the storage advice on the packaging. | For my buffet, I want to have enough almonds, but also know what to do with any leftovers once the pack is open. Quantity and useful leftover stock are the main buying priority for around 20% of consumers. |
For opened packs of unsalted almonds, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general storage advice is six months in a kitchen cupboard and one year in the freezer. Follow the information on the packaging; storage advice does not guarantee the quality of every individual pack.
These words don’t mean the same thing. You could end up choosing a variety that doesn’t meet your requirements for verifiable organic certification.
Before buying, check the organic claim and certification details for the specific product.
Almonds are tree-nut allergens. Incomplete or conflicting product information doesn’t change that.
Read the latest packaging and clearly tell guests when a dish contains almonds.
Any unused almonds need to be stored properly once the pack is open; their quality may deteriorate.
Work out the amount you need based on your recipes and planned portions, and follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Albert Heijn lists a variety called AH Biologisch Amandelen ongebrand (AH Organic Unroasted Almonds). The product name is no substitute for checking the information on the specific pack.
Jumbo lists Organic Unroasted Almonds in a 175 g pack. The product information also includes NL-BIO-01 and non-EU agriculture; don’t take the origin label as proof that the almonds were grown in Europe.
PLUS lists an organic almond variety in a 150 g pack. The retailer warns that product information, ingredients and origin may change.
The Joybuy listing below is for raw, unsalted almonds to use in breakfast dishes. The product listing alone does not confirm organic certification.
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The product name describes these as raw, unsalted almonds, a variety to consider for breakfast dishes.
The product information lists almonds as an ingredient, but also says that the product does not contain any of the 14 main EU allergens. Don’t rely on this conflicting information for allergen details; check the latest packaging and tell guests that the dish contains almonds.
No. Unroasted describes how the almonds have been processed; organic certification relates to organic production and processing. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may only be used on products certified as organic.
Use the quantities in your recipes and the number of portions you plan to serve as a guide. Also consider other buffet dishes that already contain nuts; daily dietary guidance isn’t a required buffet serving size.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general advice is six months in a kitchen cupboard and one year in the freezer. Follow the instructions on the packaging, and don’t use almonds that are rancid or mouldy.
In the situations involving unpackaged foods described by the NVWA, information about any nuts present must be available; make clear which nut is involved, such as almonds. This information about professional settings does not automatically mean that the same requirement applies to a private family buffet.
According to the MDL Fonds, whole nuts are not safe for children under four because of the risk of choking. Don’t serve whole nuts to these children.
