Who is this choice relevant to?

Daily organic breakfast eaters

You regularly have almonds for breakfast and want to assess organic certification, salt and processing separately. The European Commission explains what information is associated with organic certification.

Stocking up when you use smaller quantities

You want to shop less often, but don’t want to keep more opened almonds than you can use in time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre offers general storage advice for unsalted almonds.

Cost-conscious organic shoppers

You want to buy organic almonds and compare packs by net weight, cost per kilo and how much you’ll actually use. You can only compare prices per kilo fairly when the prices apply at the same time.

What should you look for when buying?

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this most important for?
Organic certification Check for the EU organic logo, the control code and the relevant indication of agricultural origin. The European Commission links the logo to organic certification. If organic certification is my main requirement, I check it separately from terms such as ‘natural’ or ‘unroasted’. Around 26% of consumers say certification is their top buying priority.
Quantity and storage Choose a quantity that suits your usage and follow the storage instructions on the pack. For opened, unsalted almonds, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives six months in a kitchen cupboard and one year in the freezer as general guidance; quality may deteriorate after that. If I want to avoid leaving an opened pack for too long, I consider how much I use and how I can store it. For around 26% of consumers, matching stock to usage and storage is also a top priority.
Cost per kilo used Compare the total purchase cost with the total net weight, then calculate the cost per kilo. Also bear in mind any stock you might not use and any extra delivery or order charges. If I want to manage the cost of my stock, I compare more than just the pack price. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the cost of the quantity they’ll actually use.
Breakfast variety Consider unroasted, roasted and unsalted as separate characteristics. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five. For my everyday breakfast, I want to know how the almonds have been processed and whether they’re salted. The breakfast variety is the top buying priority for around 16% of consumers.
Label and batch information Read the current pack and keep any relevant product, best-before and allergen information. The NVWA explains that allergens must be clearly and correctly stated on the label. If I want to be able to find product information when managing my stock, I keep the label or note down the details. Around 11% of consumers say label and batch information is their main buying priority.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming unroasted means organically certified

    Unroasted describes how the almonds are processed, not whether they have organic certification. So a product may not meet your requirement for verifiably organic almonds.

    Check the organic claim and related certification information separately from the product name and processing method.

  • Buying more than you’ll use once opened

    The quality of opened almonds can deteriorate. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists rancidity, a tough texture and mould as signs to look out for.

    Choose a quantity that suits your expected usage and storage options, and follow the instructions on the pack too.

  • Comparing only the pack price

    A pack with a lower total price won’t necessarily contain the same amount. And a low price per kilo doesn’t tell you how much you’ll end up using.

    Compare the cost per kilo at the same time, and consider any extra order charges and how much you expect to use separately.

  • Throwing away the original label after decanting

    Allergen and packaging information is still relevant when managing your stock, even if you transfer the almonds to a different container.

    Keep the original packaging or note down the relevant product and best-before details.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Biologisch lists unroasted almonds as part of its organic range, including for anyone who wants to add them to their regular shop.

  • Albert Heijn advises reading the current pack before using the product.
  • Check the details for the variety you choose; the product listing isn’t a general quality comparison.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Organic Unroasted Almonds in a 175 g pack.

  • The product listing gives the control code NL-BIO-01, non-EU Agriculture and packaging under a protective atmosphere.
  • These packaging details don’t prove that the almonds will keep for longer once opened or reduce the cost of keeping stock.

PLUS

PLUS lists organic almonds in a 150 g tub.

  • The stated quantity can be factored in when comparing packs that you’ll open one at a time.
  • Check the current pack for ingredient and allergen information; the product listing isn’t an independent comparative assessment.

Aldi

ALDI lists Trader Joe’s 200 g unroasted almonds as an option to consider in terms of processing and packaging.

  • The product listing describes untreated almonds in a resealable pack.
  • Unroasted or untreated does not, in itself, establish organic certification.

Duyvis

Duyvis Almonds Original is a 125 g oven-roasted savoury almond variety, making it a different choice from unroasted breakfast varieties.

  • According to the manufacturer, no oil or fat is added during roasting.
  • This is a manufacturer’s claim, not an independent comparison, and it does not establish organic certification.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do the words ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ prove that almonds are organically certified?

No, those words don’t replace certification information. The European Commission says the EU organic logo may only be used for products certified as organic. Also check the control code and the relevant indication of agricultural origin.

Do all organic almonds have to carry the same EU logo?

The requirement depends on the applicable conditions. According to the European Commission, the logo is mandatory for prepacked foods produced in the EU and sold as organic. Don’t apply this rule indiscriminately to every import or packaging situation.

How long can you keep opened, unsalted almonds?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives six months in a kitchen cupboard and one year in the freezer as general storage advice for opened, unsalted almonds. Quality may deteriorate after that, so follow the instructions on the pack too. Rancidity, a tough texture or mould are signs of a loss of quality or spoilage.

Are unroasted almonds automatically a good choice for everyday breakfasts?

Not necessarily: unroasted, unsalted and organic are different characteristics. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five, so assess salt and certification separately from processing.

How do you compare bulk orders with smaller packs?

Divide the total purchase cost by the total net weight in kilos and compare prices from the same time. Also consider how much you actually expect to use: buying in bulk doesn’t automatically mean a lower price per kilo or less waste.

What should you check if allergens are important to your household?

Read the current allergen information on the pack and assess it separately from the organic claim. The NVWA requires allergens to be clearly and correctly stated; check the pack of the variety you’re buying.

What can you do if the delivered pack differs from the online information?

First, read the current pack, then contact the supplier’s customer service with your question. PLUS recommends this route for queries. Any refund or return option depends on the specific circumstances and isn’t a general guarantee.