†UOS = Unless Otherwise Specified. Also appropriate for further processing, such as blanching, grinding, roasting, dicing and slicing. Download our Almond Technical Toolkit and link here. Unless otherwise specified, 28/64" in thickness. He holds a Master of Arts in political science and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in political science. Fancy Almonds are a natural product, so there can be variations within grades and among shipments. The different grades are defined by the allowable minimum standards/tolerances for each grade of almonds. Green almonds are available in mid to late summer. A California type with a paper thin shell with dark brown color and rough surface. The highest grade—typically appropriate for products where the visual appeal of the almond is critical to the application. These almonds are easy to blanch, with their thin, smooth shells. Harrison Pennybaker began writing in 2004. The following is the breakdown of parameters that affect the grading for almonds, regardless of the variety or size. Almonds in the shell are easiest to find in fall and early winter. Knowing the different types and varieties of almonds can help add flavor to your favorite recipe or serve up a healthy snack. Buy Fresh California Almonds, Wholesale or Bulk Raw Almonds and Almond Flour, Direct from the Farm. The almonds are sorted into grades according to two criteria: Quality: in the United States, there are seven quality grades according to whether the almonds are double-kernels, chipped, split, broken, etc. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. 10%, including 5% serious damage. While most of us don't give much thought to what kind of almond we consume, there are a number of varieties of this common nut, each of which features particular characteristics. Loose Foreign Material
Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images, Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Gold Hills Nut Company: Natural Whole Almonds. Since Maisie Jane is a fourth generation almond grower, and we farm our own almonds, we have added knowledge on these different varieties and have perfected identifying which varieties work for each of our products. Grades establish product quality requirements depending on the food commodity, which may include parameters such as flavor, aroma, texture, colour, moisture, size, maturity, firmness, shape, cleanliness, density, clarity, fat content, condition of the food, as well as different types of defects. ©2020 Almond Board of California, All Rights Reserved. (530) 809-2436 • Fax: (530) 592-3143
However, Supreme is not a USDA grade. U.S. No. Pieces of shell, hulls or other foreign matter that will not pass through a round-opening screen measuring 8/64" (3.2mm) in diameter. The site you are transferring to is not hosted by the Almond Board of California, but rather, by a valued 3rd party information source. Shells are clean, fairly bright, fairly uniform in color and free from damage caused by discoloration, adhering hulls, broken shells or other means. Free from loose, extraneous and foreign material. Unlike some processors, we hand select the best variety of almonds for every single product we make, assuring the best quality and best-tasting almond products across the board. Not generally blanched. Believe it or not, not all almonds are created equal. Almonds are also sold sliced, slivered, or chopped. Click OK to continue to the requested site, or click CANCEL to return to your most recently viewed Almond Board page. He has written as a student and a journalist, specializing in politics, travel, arts and culture and current affairs. View the complete standards: USDA Standards Almonds Inshell and USDA Standards Shelled Almonds or the USDA grades cards for inshell and shelled. Terms of Service, © 2020 Remedy Health Media, LLC All rights reserved, faculty at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Seven-eighths or less of complete whole kernels that will not pass through a round-opening screen measuring 8/64" (3.2mm) in diameter. Max. Carmel almonds were originally considered to be a member of the California class of almond varieties when they were first developed in 1966. The next time you pick up store brand nuts, remember that they try to pack in lower grade nuts, splits and broken, to reduce costs. Chico Nut Company grows, processes and packs bulk wholesale shelled, inshell, natural, raw California Almonds. Greater than 1/8" (3.2mm) in diameter, is defined as injury; if affecting, in aggregate, greater than 1/4" (6.4mm) in diameter, it is defined as defect. We offer all grades and varieties of inshell and kernels. Mid-quality grade—good choice for applications where the almonds with minimal sorting/processing can be incorporated with other ingredients; for example, inside a confectionery product a higher level of chipped and scratched kernels is accepted. Maisie Jane’s products focus on nonpareil. U.S. No. Consists of almonds in the shell that meet the requirements of U.S. No. Blanchable varieties used primarily in manufacturing. 1 grade, except that an additional tolerance of 20% shall be allowed for almonds with shells damaged by discoloration. They are also easily processed, so they are used in manufactured goods, eaten on their own and can be substituted for other varieties, such as nonpareil almonds. The different grades are defined by the allowable minimum standards/tolerances for each grade of almonds. Some of these varieties are natural, while others have been created by scientists in labs. 1 grade, except that two or more varieties are mixed. 1 Mixed
U.S. No. Grade names identify the degrees of quality in a given food commodity. U.S. No. The versatility of these almonds means that they are easily processed, making them popular for manufactured food products as well as consumption on their own. A thin outer shell and smooth nut permit easy, blemish-free processing. This type is quite common, making up, for instance, over half of the crop in California, a major nut producer for the United States. Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications, Pilot Project: Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables, Purchase Programs: Solicitations & Awards, Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM), U.S. Grade Standards for Pistachio Nuts in the Shell (pdf), Inspection Instructions for Pistachio Nuts in the Shell (pdf), PATCH 045 Pistachio Test Samples for Aflatoxins (pdf), Pistachios in the Shell Grades and Standards. Internal Defects
GRADES The different grades are defined by the allowable minimum standards/tolerances for each grade of almonds. A soft shell variety used in blanching and roasting. However, Carmel almonds became more popular and were then given their own classification as a distinct variety. 1
Be sure to speak with your supplier about your specifications. At Just Almonds, we are committed to providing you the best quality California almonds at the best price. The higher the percentage listed on the chart, the higher the tolerance for that particular grade factor. The Almond Board of California reports that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains strict standards and grades in order to ensure that the products for consumers reach or exceed a certain level of quality.