Raw unpasteurized almonds

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

As I mentioned a couple months ago, I have a source for certified organic raw

unpasteurized almonds. Now that the harvest is close, I'd like to get some idea

how many people would be interested in buying, and quantities.

 

I'll probably just be getting almonds once a year, at harvest time. My plan is

to get a big enough quantity to fill orders for everyone who wants them, and

maybe keep some on hand for small orders later and my own personal use. Since

almonds are only harvested once a year and are so shelf-stable, I'd recommend

buying as much as you can store and eat in a 6-12 month period, and not count on

my having more till next year. The price is $7.00 per pound of shelled almonds,

with a 2-pound minimum. My supplier needs my order by Labor Day weekend. That

only gives us two weeks.

 

I've also had my ear to the ground regarding the pasteurization plan itself and

have learned some interesting information. The most important factoid I've come

across lately is that pasteurization has actually been in place for a couple

years on a voluntary basis. So far I've not been able to determine what

percentage of almonds are currently being pasteurized but I have heard from

reliable sources that since the mandatory rule was passed, compliance has

increased. Even though the recent rumor that implementation had been postponed

gave hope to us outsiders, my supplier tells me that producers are clamoring to

meet the requirements because their buyers (wholesalers) are demanding

pasteurization. Many have already added pasteurization to their processing

lines. Since the equipment is costly and the majority of almond consumers

actually feel that pasteurization makes almonds " safer " , it would appear this

thing is not going away.

 

Here are some other facts that I found interesting as well:

 

1) Pasteurized almonds can be labeled " raw " .

2) However, UNpasteurized almonds must be labeled as such when sold by the

farmer, to minimize liability.

3) Pasteurization is a generic term that does not always mean heating. It can

be done chemically too (w/ propylene oxide). The Almond Board has approved at

least 4 methods and is looking at others.

 

More info is available at the Almond Board's website:

http://www.almondboard.com/Programs/content.cfm?ItemNumber=890 & snItemNumber=450

 

 

If you have questions or are interested in buying almonds, please email me

privately: nmlenz.

 

Thanks!

Nora

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I just checked the prices for almonds on Raw from the Farm. Theirs are

certified organic and they say they are unpasteurized but they are frozen, and

they sell for $10.25 per pound. Nuts withstand freezing very well so it's no

big deal, especially if you're planning to store them in the freezer anyway, but

that still leaves the $3.25 price break I'm offering.

 

That was just a little sales pitch because so far I've only gotten 5 orders and

don't have near the quantity I need to be able to place an order.

 

Maybe it's that people just aren't that concerned about pasteurization.

Honestly I have to say that a burst of steam probably wouldn't keep me from

eating pasteurized almonds. I've been raw long enough that I'd be able to tell

right away if I was eating something cooked, and if I felt badly after eating

them and only pasteurized almonds were available, I'd probably just give them

up. The gassing worries me more, and it seems like we'll have no way of knowing

which method is used. However, it would really be no hardship for me to give up

almonds if I had to. Maybe everyone else feels that way too.

 

I guess I'm just not much of a salesperson. I did just want to let everyone

know that whether or not I order will depend on the demand. So please contact

me asap if you're going to be wanting almonds so I can decide whether to go

ahead.

 

Much thanks,

Nora