What Is The Difference Between Almonds And Bitter Almonds?
Sweet almond is made from one species of almond tree (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis), and does not contain poisonous chemicals. Bitter almond comes from a different species of almond tree (Prunus amygdalus var. amara) and does not contain harmful chemicals.
Is bitter almond the same as almond?
Almonds are sweet almonds, in short. Bitter almonds are a form of high-cyanide-containing almonds, but also: On ingredient lists, you will see them as the seeds of stone fruits like apricots, cherries, and peaches.
Are all almonds bitter almonds?
The Differences Between Bitter and Sweet Almonds All almonds fall into one of two categories. Almonds are either sweet or bitter. Prunus dulcis is a species of sweet almonds that are scientifically known as Prunus dulcis, with the word dulcis being Latin for “sweet.” You can scoop out a handful of sweet almonds and eat them on the spot.
Bitter almonds are those that naturally contain a toxin that your body breaks down into cyanide, a substance that can cause poisoning and even death. Raw bitter almonds should not be eaten for this reason. Bitter almonds can be reduced in toxin content by boiling, roasting, or microwaving, making them healthier to eat.
Bitter almond oil has a variety of health benefits. It is useful for muscle spasms, bacterial infections, fungal infections, pain, digestive problems, and coughs as well. It was used as a laxative and diuretic in the Middle Ages.
They do know that if there is too much moisture from rain or irrigation one season and an almond does not dry properly, the inside of the nut is damaged. The almonds, which do not pose a health risk, can become bitter after being roasted.
Bitter Almonds Kill You Because they are high in hydrocyanic acid, these almonds and their essential oil should never be eaten. This cyanide poisoning is strong enough to kill a person.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 1 ounce of almonds, or about 23 almond nuts, as the recommended daily intake.