Varieties, Types of Nuts – Almonds and Cashews
Popular Nuts Taste, Nutritional Values and Best Storage Methods
Aug 16, 2009
What most people commonly know as nuts, aren’t always nuts in the true definition of a nut. A true nut is a fruit that is both the seed and the fruit. For example cashews and walnuts aren’t truly nuts because they’re extracted from the fruit. For the purpose of this article, the nut will be used in the culinary definition, not the biological definition of a nut.
Most Common Varieties and Types of Nuts
There are literally hundreds of varieties and types of (culinary) nuts. Nuts come in all different sizes, shapes, colors and taste. Nuts are harvested, in one form or another, in almost every country in the world. They are often eaten as a snack by themselves or can be used in all kinds of dishes for added flavor. Some of the most popular varieties of nuts are walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, pistachios and macadamia nuts.
Almond Characteristics, Nutritional Value and Storage
There are two categories of almonds, sweet and bitter almonds. Bitter almonds are generally used for extract for flavoring in syrup and liqueurs. Uncooked bitter almonds contain cyanide, which can be lethal if enough of them are eaten. The remainder of this article is focused on the more common sweet almond.
Almonds are commonly eaten as a snack and excellent toasted or smoked. Almonds are also used to make almond butter, an alternative to peanut butter. Almonds are used in all kinds of dishes, but because of their sweeter flavor are most often used in desert. The meat of the almond has a medium texture with lots of flavor.
Almonds Nutritional Value -1 cup, sliced- raw
- Almonds are a good source of protein with 20 grams.
- Almonds are also very high in dietary fiber with 11 grams and 529 calories.
- Almonds are high in total fat with 45 grams, which is about 70% of the daily value of fat in a 2000-calorie diet.
- Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E, with over 120% of the daily recommendation. Almonds also have a decent amount of Riboflavin and Niacin.
- Almonds are loaded with a large variety of many minerals.
Storing Almonds
Almonds store very well compared to other nuts. According to the Almond Board of California if kept in cold storage, whole almonds can be stored for up to 2 years. Roasted almonds should be kept airtight. Keep almonds away from strong odors because they can absorb the odors of other food items.
Cashew Characteristics, Nutritional Value and Storage
Cashews have a rich nutty flavor and are very popular eaten by themselves. Cashews are also used in various types of cooking, but not as common in cooking as some other nuts due to their cost. Cashews are very popular in cooking Asian type dishes. Cashew meat has a very soft texture and are often salted and/or roasted as a snack food. Since cashews are rarely sold raw because heat is used in processing, the nutritional values listed are for roasted cashews.
Cashews Nutritional Value – 1 cup roasted, halves and whole, unsalted
- Cashews are a great source of protein with 21 grams or 42% of the daily value of 2.000 calories
- Cashews are also low in dietary fiber compared to most nuts with 4 grams and 786 calories.
- Cashews fat content is 63 grams, which is 98% of the daily value of fat in a 2000-calorie diet.
- The significant amount of vitamins in cashews is vitamin K with 59% and vitamin B6 with 18% of the daily value. There is also 18% of the daily value of Thiamin in cashews.
- Like most nuts, cashews are loaded with a large variety of many minerals.
Storing Cashews
Cashews don’t last long at room temperature. If cashews are refrigerated in an airtight container, they can last up to 6 months. Frozen, cashews can last up to a year.
Like most nuts almonds and cashews are high in fat content, but are actually low in saturated fats. The antioxidants in almonds and cashew will actually help to reduce bad cholesterol levels. Almonds are one of the healthiest of all nut varieties because of their lower fat content and higher fiber amounts.
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