Almond

Prunus dulcis · Nut

40 pairings

The almond is the edible seed of Prunus dulcis, a small tree of the rose family grown across the Mediterranean and California. Sweet, oil-rich and faintly marzipan-scented, it is eaten raw, blanched or roasted and is ground into flour, milk, marzipan and praline.

Picking a good onedrag

Crisp, sweet, milkyStale, then rancid

Sound and crispThe all-rounder: toast them, grind to flour or milk, scatter through salads and cakes. A common tree-nut allergen, so say so when you serve them.Everyday best

The kernelSound and filled out, skins duller, a few rubbed bare

Snap oneStill crisp, the break a shade softer and duller

SmellFaint and clean-oily, close to nothing, but nothing off

What to look for, from crisp, sweet, milky to stale, then rancid.

Preparing

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