Are Unpasteurized Raw Almonds Safe to Eat?

There are two issues here, first the ancient concern about cyanide presence in all almonds and next the concern about salmonella poisoning as it may be a risk in an unpasteurized almond.

Every now and then I see an article or hear a comment that almonds have cyanide poison and are dangerous to eat.  This is NOT TRUE for the sweet almonds you buy from a farmer or at the store.  Most labels don't say "sweet" but believe me they ALL are. Bitter almonds contain cyanide or prussic acid or hydrocyanic acid (same compound) and are not sold. We don’t eat bitter almonds, our body will reject them, they taste terrible. So, Are Raw Almonds Safe to Eat? Absolutely Yes. Almonds are very safe to eat in fact they are very healthy. Refer to https://www.chorganicalmonds.com/health-facts for a review of the health benefits of almonds:

The history of bitter and sweet almonds: The almond tree has been on God’s green earth since He made it, however, they yielded bitter almonds. Archeology shows almonds were domesticated since the Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 BC) in present day Jordan. Over time almonds were cultivated to yield a sweet almond which is what we have been eating since then. There are hundreds of varieties of sweet almonds.

If you were to eat a bitter almond, you would have to consume 50-60 of these almonds as an adult to get serious health problems. With children, the consumption of 5-10 bitter almonds alone can be dangerous. If you were to find a bitter almond tree and eat a kernel, the awful bitter taste of these bitter almonds prevents the consumption of a dangerous dose. Trust me, you will spit it out. I know, I've done it.

Bitter almonds were used in the dry farming years (30’s – 70’s) in California as root stock, so occasionally you will find a tree growing on the side of a road, try and taste it and you’ll know immediately if it’s a bitter almond. Bitter almond root stock was grafted to sweet almond fruit wood. If you find a bitter almond tree (they look the same), it is likely the old rootstock from a tree which was planted decades ago when bitter almond was the primary rootstock for sweet almond cultivation.

Next: Salmonella Poisoning,.....

Young developing almonds

Raw Shelled Nonpareil Almonds

A little background, after a few small cases of Salmonella poisoning in almonds in 2007, the USDA created a law which required all California almonds to be pasteurized. The intent was to protect the consumer from the risk of Salmonella poisoning caused by the shake-on-ground harvest method. The law did carve out an exception where consumers can legally purchase good old fashioned truly raw, unpasteurized almonds direct from the farmer and ONLY the farmer. An excellent, common question then is if you can buy unpasteurized almonds, is that safe to eat since they may be exposed to Salmonella?

The answer to that depends on your level of accepting risk and who you buy your unpasteurized almonds from.

This comes down to understanding how almonds are harvested. (See blog https://www.chorganicalmonds.com/post/almond-harvest) The standard or typical almond harvest that most growers use is shaking the tree and dropping the nuts on the ground. After drying on the ground, the almonds are swept up with everything else on the ground (sticks, fecal matter, dirt, rocks, etc.). This is a very dusty process, so much that the California Air Quality Board is often at odds with growers.  At this stage the almonds are covered by a semi-porous shell and often an open hull. This method runs the risk of contamination and salmonella and why the USDA created the pasteurization law.

Dusty conventional almond harvest

Dusty conventional almond harvest

dirtyconventional almond harvest

Pictures from standard or typical almond harvest. Would you eat that?

But there is another harvest method: Off Ground. This is the method we use at Capay Hills Orchard. It’s simple, our trees are shaken and tarps catch the nuts. They are not swept up off the ground in the typical dusty, dirty harvest operation. There is no contamination risk.

Off Ground Harvest Almonds

Off Ground Harvest Almonds- Roll Out Tarps

Clean Almond Product

Zero dust, No exposure to pathogens on the ground. That looks edible!

So, back to the question of safety and risk. Off-Ground harvested almonds are indeed very safe to eat. Also safe for the environment since there is no dust. So despite the legal exemption allowing farmers to direct market their unpasteurized almonds to the consumer, with off-ground harvesting it’s also safe for the consumer. The law DOES NOT require the farmer to off ground harvest. At Capay Hills Orchard, we just think it’s the right way to harvest and provide our customers with the best, safest almonds available. 

If you purchase unpasteurized from a farmer who does not practice off-ground harvests, then there is greater risk of contamination. The choice is yours, choose wisely.

Organic Shelled Almonds

What do you think of this article? Was it helpful? Tell me what you think and feel free to comment.

Brian

The Almond Farmer

Almonds may not be cheap, but they are cheaper than the doctor or hospital. Eat well, live well, and support your organic farmer and family farm.

You can buy unpasteurized raw almonds and almond butter directly from the California farmer at Capay Hills Orchard. Order off the website, www.chorganicalmonds.com or by calling or texting 530-507-8222. Talk or text directly with the farmer, Brian Paddock Alternatively email capayhillsorchard@gmail.com

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Capay Hills Orchard is a small family farm growing the best raw almonds, raw almond butter and smoked almonds. Capay Hills Orchard is Veteran owned, Bee Friendly certified, and of-course Certified Organic using Regenerative farming practices.