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Almonds are always great to have on hand. Not only are they used in sweet and savoury recipes, but they make a great snack and a tasty garnish for countless meals. They are also excellent for making plant-based milk.
While some people prefer to consume shelled almonds with their light brown skin still attached, there are others who prefer the flavour and colour of a peeled almond.
However, peeling almonds can often be a tedious process. What's the best way to peel almonds? Fine Dining Lovers shares the best tips and tricks for peeling almonds easily.
How to peel almonds without any equipment
Hands down, the easiest way to peel almonds is to leave them soaking in water overnight. Place the almonds in a large bowl and cover with a 1/2 inch of water. In the morning, simply drain the almonds and rub the peel off with your fingers. It will come right off.
While this method is highly effective it is also time consuming. Below are two more methods you can try if you are short on time.
How to peel almonds with hot water
Take a saucepan and fill it with water. Heat the water and remove the saucepan from the heat as soon as the boiling temperature is reached. Place the almonds in the hot water for a couple of minutes at most, then drain and quickly pass them under cold water.
Lay the almonds on a cloth and dry them by dabbing them with a towel. At this point apply a slight pressure on the lower part towards the tip, the skin will separate from the almond in a moment.
How to peel almonds with the help of a microwave
The same procedure can be carried out with the help of a microwave oven. Take a microwave-safe container and fill it with about 300 ml (1 1/4 cup) of water. Then put it in the microwave and bring the water to a boil.
To remove the skin from almonds it is sufficient to place the almonds in the boiled water, re-insert the container in the microwave and let it cook for a maximum of two minutes.
Drain the almonds and run them under cold water. Dry them with a towel and peel them by pressing the bottom with your fingers.
How to sprout almonds
Not only does soaking almonds make peeling them easier, it can also be used to sprout them. Sprouting almonds unlocks a slew of health benefits: it makes them much easier to digest; increases nutrient uptake; and eliminates or neutralises compounds that can be harmful to the body. Here are the steps for sprouting:
- Place almonds in large bowl and cover with water.
- Add a few teaspoons of salt and let sit for 8-12 hours.
- Thoroughly rinse the seeds and drain off water.
- Store for 2-3 three more days in a dark place, rinsing every day, until sprouted.
How to dehydrate almonds
Sprouted almonds have a shorter shelf life because they are activated, but if you dehydrate them, they will last longer and have a delightful crunchy pop. To dehydrate:
- Season the nuts with salt or other spices while still wet from soaking.
- Spread them out on the rack of your dehydrator.
- Dehydrate at a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius (any hotter will destroy nutritious enzymes).
- Check after 20 hours; continue dehydrated up to 25 hours as necessary (until nuts are crunchy).
- Store in sealed container in refrigerator.
More almond fun
Did we intrigue you? Use these tips to make fresh almond milk at home. Here's how to do it step-by-step.
