Who are these almonds for?

Breakfast-makers who choose organic

You’re looking for whole organic almonds for breakfast around New Year and don’t want any added salt. Check the organic labelling and ingredients; also look for the word ‘unroasted’ if that’s the type you want.

Hosts serving breakfast and drinks

You want to use the same almonds on more than one occasion, so check how they’re prepared, the packaging and the allergen information for your guests. Unroasted almonds give you the option to prepare them yourself; check the label before serving.

Shoppers looking to reduce waste

Choose a quantity based on how much you’ll use over New Year and how you’ll store any leftovers. The organic packs mentioned here contain 150 or 175 g; follow the storage advice on the packaging.

What should you look for when buying?

If you’re looking for whole organic almonds for breakfast and perhaps a New Year get-together, start by checking the organic labelling, then compare how the almonds are prepared, the allergen information and the quantity.

What to consider What to look for Who should pay particular attention?
Organic labelling Check for the EU organic logo, the control code and the origin of the agricultural ingredients. The European Commission explains the requirements for using the logo. I want to check that the organic status is clearly shown on the packaging. Consumers who prioritise organic certification above all else account for around 36%.
Preparation and ingredients Check whether the almonds are unroasted and whether the ingredients include any added salt. AH lists its almonds as unroasted and unsalted; Jumbo lists its as unroasted, with almonds as the only ingredient. For breakfast, I want to know how the almonds are prepared and what’s in them, so I can decide whether to prepare them further myself. Consumers who prioritise breakfast suitability account for around 29%.
Allergens for guests Check the allergen information on the exact pack, as potential cross-contamination varies by product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains allergen labelling. If I’m serving almonds at breakfast or a get-together, I want to take my guests’ allergies into account beforehand. Consumers who prioritise serving guests account for around 21%.
Quantity and storage Compare the pack sizes and follow the storage advice on the packaging. AH and PLUS contain 150 g; Jumbo contains 175 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a dry place in a tightly sealed container. I want to choose a pack size that suits how much we’ll use and lets us store any leftovers properly. Consumers who prioritise quantity and reducing waste account for around 14%.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming ‘natural’ or ‘unroasted’ means organic

    A product may suit your preparation preferences, but that description doesn’t prove it’s organic.

    Check the organic product description and any relevant certification details separately. The European Commission explains the requirements for the EU organic logo.

  • Confusing organic with allergen-free

    Organic almonds contain almonds and, according to the product information, may also contain other allergens.

    Read the information on the exact pack and take your guests’ relevant allergies into account.

  • Looking only at the packaging

    Pack sizes vary, and any leftovers after New Year need to be stored appropriately.

    Choose a quantity that suits how much you’ll use and follow the storage advice on the packaging.

    Any almonds you don’t use could go to waste.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The product information for AH Organic Unroasted Almonds may be useful if you’re looking for organic, unroasted almonds.

  • Albert Heijn lists this product as unroasted and unsalted, with 0 g of added salt, the EU organic logo, control code IT-BIO-009 and EU Agriculture.
  • The product contains almonds and may contain other nuts and peanuts. Check the current packaging for allergen information.

Jumbo

Jumbo Organic Unroasted Almonds 175 g are a good fit if you’re specifically looking for unroasted organic almonds.

  • Jumbo lists almonds as the sole ingredient, from organic farming, and states that the product carries the European organic logo, control code NL-BIO-01 and non-EU Agriculture.
  • The product information notes that it may contain peanuts, other nuts and sesame, among other allergens. A reference to France doesn’t prove that the almonds were grown there.

PLUS

PLUS Organic Almonds is an option if you’re looking for whole organic almonds with their skins on.

  • PLUS lists organic almonds with their skins on, almonds as the sole ingredient, EU Organic Farming and a pack size of 150 g.
  • Don’t assume they’re unroasted: that preparation method isn’t listed separately. Follow the instruction to store the product in a cool, dry, dark place.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can you identify organic almonds according to the rules?

Check the organic labelling on the packaging. According to the European Commission, prepacked food produced in the EU and sold as organic must display the EU organic logo, the control code and the origin of the agricultural ingredients; don’t assume this requirement applies in the same way to every imported product.

Do ‘natural’ or ‘unroasted’ mean the same as organic?

No. ‘Unroasted’ describes how the almonds are prepared, while ‘organic’ is a separate, certified product status. Check the organic labelling even if the packaging or product description uses the word ‘natural’.

Are organic almonds suitable for guests with an almond allergy?

No, these products contain almonds, so they’re not an almond-free alternative. Also check the exact packaging for the possible presence of other allergens; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.

How should you store almonds after New Year?

Store nuts in a dry place in a tightly sealed container and follow the instructions on the packaging. AH recommends storing its almonds at room temperature in a dark place; PLUS advises keeping them cool, dry and dark. Don’t treat general storage advice as a guarantee of how long an opened pack will keep.

Are whole almonds automatically suitable for young children at breakfast?

No. Albert Heijn’s product page warns that young children may choke on nuts. So don’t assume that whole almonds are a suitable addition to breakfast for young children.