Today, Feb 16, is the officially designated National Almond Day, which makes lots of sense considering the month is all about matters of the heart and almonds are uber heart-healthy. As the official spokesperson for the Almond Board of California, and a genuine almond lover, I thought I’d honor the day with 23 Almond Ideas and Fun Facts.


1. Craving crunchy? Almonds have the most crunch of any tree nut.

2. Put a handful of almonds in your morning smoothie for a more satisfying breakfast.

3. Almonds are one of the best sources of the antioxidant vitamin E. One ounce of almonds gives you more than a third of the Daily Value.

4. Toast almonds to make the most of their nutty flavor. Just put almonds in a dry skillet over a medium-high heat and cook, stirring, for 3-5 minutes, until they are golden and fragrant.

5. Whole natural almonds will keep well for up to two years in the fridge. Their long storage life is due in part to vitamin E which helps keep them fresh.

6. Ancient Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm.

7. Whip up a delicious Romeseco-style dip with almonds, roasted red peppers a little garlic, olive oil and a dash of vinegar.

8. Stash a handful of almonds in your gym bag, purse and glove compartment so you have a healthy snack at your fingertips when you are on the go. (See #22 for a great way to store them.)

9. Use ground almonds as the “breading” for fish or chicken.

10. Spread almond butter on a half a whole grain bagel instead of cream cheese, or on your morning toast instead of butter.

11. Almonds have the most protein and fiber of any tree nut which makes them especially satisfying.

12. Coarsely grind almonds in a food processor to make “crumbs.” Use as a topping for casseroles.

13. In India, almonds are considered a prized “brainfood” for children.

14. Almonds have the same protective flavanoid activity, serving per serving, as broccoli and green tea.

15. Almonds come in a wide variety of forms, making them super versatile: whole natural, slivered, sliced, blanched, almond meal and flour….to name few.

16. Almonds bring out the nutty flavor of whole grains. Put them in grain pilafs, whole grain pasta dishes and your morning cereal.

17. Almonds flour is a delicious and versatile option for gluten-free baking.

18. Almonds are rich in essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron.

19. Sprinkle almonds into your Asian stir-fry for a crunchy contrast.

20. The main fat in almonds is heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

21. For the most heavenly, satisfying dessert, melt dark chocolate add toasted, chopped almonds and stir to coat. Shape into clusters and let cool on wax paper in the fridge for 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

22. A limited addition Ellie Krieger portable almond snack tin is soon to be released. (How fun is that?!) Pre-order yours here: http://www.almondboard.com/shop

23. Why 23? Because there are 23 almonds in an ounce and that’s the perfect portion to crunch on.