Nutritious, versatile and downright delicious – almonds are one of the most consumed nuts in India. These nuts are a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, Vitamin E, monosaturated fats, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. A daily handful of almonds can help you reap a load of mental and physical health benefits as well, from keeping the brain alert to reducing the risk of heart diseases. While there’s no end to the many health benefits of almonds, let’s get to the point we really love these nuts for! Almonds are an essential ingredient in most Indian kitchens. A significant majority of people in India garnish most traditional sweet dishes with almonds. They are also added to salads and other veggies to pack some crunch and flavour to green meals. Despite its dense calorie count, it does not contribute to weight gain. Presently, almonds are sold in the market raw and in a variety of other forms including almond flour, almond milk and almond butter. A considerable number of people in India shop online now while on the search for the best almonds brand in India. Almonds are easy to ship and store across large distances and are definitely one of India’s most commonly sold & purchased products online.
But how does one buy the right almonds while shopping from the comfort of your home?
Here are five things to look out for when you buy almonds online in India:
Know before you shop
The best way to reduce loss is to learn your needs and exactly what you are looking for. List down the ways almonds are usually used or consumed in your home – this will help you select nuts as per your requirements. Plain, unroasted almonds are the best for culinary purposes, while flavored almonds or salted almonds make for a quick and healthy snack.
Check for quality
When you receive the products you purchase online, slice one almond and check the inner white part for honeycomb-like structures or spoiled stains. If the inside is solid white, you can be sure that you have some good quality almonds at hand.
Beware of Adulteration
Almonds are sometimes polished with red ochre to beautify the appearance of the nuts. However, there’s a simple enough way to identify adulterated nuts:
Take a few almonds to soak them in water. Rub the almonds between your palms – if they leave stains, it’s a sure sign of adulterated nuts. Also, look for the same type of colour and shape of all the almonds, if they vary with a major difference, there’s a high chance that they are adulterated.
It’s all in the ingredients
If you are buying roasted, salted, or flavored almonds, it is advisable to take a close look at the ingredients before buying them. If you are a vegan or are lactose intolerant, you would want to check for milk solids in the ingredients section. If you’re a health-conscious individual, it’s always wise to ensure that you purchase premium almonds from a good, well-known brand that doesn’t compromise on the quality of nuts and other ingredients used.
Go organic
Buying organic products not only promotes habits with an element of conscious sustainability, but also keeps you safe from being exposed to or consuming chemicals that may be used in farming and agriculture. The best way to go organic is to purchase from local markets. This is a win-win situation by all accounts – you get to explore your local markets or stores and discover healthy and nutritious products, all while reducing your carbon footprint.
Conscious online shopping benefits consumers in the best ways possible, especially when it comes to buying edible products. Hone your online shopping skills and train yourself to become an alert, tech-savvy shopper – this can go a long way in helping you make better decisions AND get your hands on some delicious, healthy food products! Zantye’s has a wide range of cashew nuts, almonds and pistachios to get you started on your journey towards developing smart, health-conscious habits, check out our online web store!