Are Blanched Almonds the Same as Raw Almonds?

Blanched almonds are almonds that have been briefly boiled in order to remove the skins. There's not much difference between blanched and unblanched almonds, so they can be substituted for each other in the same amounts. There are a few reasons to remove the skins, though.

Are raw almonds the same as blanched?

In the case of almonds, “raw” means something like—not having gone through an additional cooking process to blanch and remove the skin from the nut meat. So raw almonds are cooked, just not as cooked as they could be, and not as cooked as blanched almonds.

Are blanched almonds as healthy as raw?

Even without their skins, blanched almonds are a potent power snack, with just as much protein and heart-healthy fats, and a substantial amount of anti-inflammatory vitamin E, bone-strengthening magnesium, and blood-supporting iron.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.