What is almond butter?
almond butter is a smooth paste made of ground almonds. Despite its name, it usually does not contain any dairy products and it is not real butter; However, it is soft and spread out and is very similar to peanut butter, a paste made of peanuts known to many people. It comes in several variations, including crunchy, smooth, roasted and raw. It can be higher in fat than other nut butter, but also tends to have many useful vitamins and minerals. Butter is widely available in most places as prepared food and many people also find that it is relatively simple to make at home.
as is made
The simplest butter are made of one component: almonds. Commercial manufacturers often use an industrial mill for nuts to mix nuts into a smooth paste, but home chefs can usually get similar results with a kitchen robot or a heavy blender. The important thing is that there is sufficient pressure to complete the toar crush, leaving a combination of powder and naturaloil. Some chefs soak almonds before grinding to soften them, but it is usually not necessary to get a cohesive paste. The pure grinding force usually excludes the oils to the nuts and ties the fragments into the creamy whole. Chefs can add some extra oils to help improve consistency or texture, but grinding itself is usually everything it requires.
different styles
There are many different ways to change the basic recipe. Creamy butter are usually made of almonds that have been blanched or cooked, which usually removes their fibrous skin. Although the skin has a number of nutrients, it is also somewhat hard and can lead to a more grain structure. Baking or spices of nuts before grinding can also be an interesting way to add a taste to the final result. The smallest tasting of butter is usually made of raw unprocessed almonds.
Most commercially sold almond butterIt is marked as "smooth", which means they do not contain any large pieces and have more or less uniform consistency. "Crunchy" or "textured" butter, on the other hand, tend to have pieces of walnut or at least more identifiable particles. The biggest difference between them is the amount of time spent. The more finely the nuts are processed, the smoother the end result in most cases.
butter can also be emulsified or unmulled, which is a character that has to do with the way oils in the final oil product. The most natural versions, including most of those that are home, are not emulsified. This means that the oils are separated from the particles of nuts over time. Although this is not a problem, that is, consumers will have to mix butter before it can be used if it sees for a while. Emulsion is a process that binds butter together permanently, usually using a chemical stabilizer. These types of butter may not be mixed normally, because they remain more or less mixed no matter how long they sit.
common use
often use almond butter as a span for bread or rolls and can also be used for baking. It is a popular accessory of sandwiches, roasted desserts and mixed drinks like smoothies. Some people also eat it as a high energy snack or serve as a dense drop in fruit. Those who are allergic to peanuts sometimes replace almond butter and peanut butter and these two can be used almost interchangeably.
where to find it
Many mainstream foods sell almond butter and are located near other walnut spans, jams and unfortunately in most large supermarkets. Health and special shops are often stored and can sometimes be found directly from almond growers. In many places, farmers can sell your own either from your individual shops or on farmers or community markets. Creating at home is also an option and has another advantage thatIt allows consumers to control the composition, texture and ingredients.
nutritional information
In most cases, almond butter has the same nutritional profile as the almonds that enter it, making it a good source of protein, fibers and many different vitamins and minerals. However, this also means that it can have a relatively high content of saturated fat. Healthy nutritionists often describe almonds and other tree nuts as containing so -called "good" fats that can help improve blood sugar and cholesterol, but that does not automatically mean that it is good to eat excess. Almond butter usually contains more calories and fat than other comparable products such as peanut butter or cashew butter.
In general, butter is made of raw almonds and little else the healthiest. Any spices, extra oils or chemical preservatives can change not only the taste but also the nutritional profile. For example, adding a lot of salt can make almond butter particularly tasty, but also adds a lot of sodTo something that was almost completely without salt at the beginning. Consumers who are worried about other ingredients or additives should take the time to read all the labels carefully.