Are Unpasteurized Almonds Safe to Eat?
A little background, almonds in stores are pasteurized even though the label says “raw”. Consumers can, however, legally purchased good old fashioned truly raw, unpasteurized almonds direct from the farmer. But if you can buy unpasteurized almonds, is that safe to eat?
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 drop 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. It is for this reason and history of almonds tainted by salmonella, the USDA created law in 2007 that all California Almonds must be pasteurized.
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.
Zero dust, No exposure to pathogens on the ground. That looks edible!
So, back to the question of safety. 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.
Brian
The 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.
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