AIVA Natural Whole Raw Almonds - 10 lb, Grown in the USA, Raw Whole Almonds

I used to buy Happy Belly almonds, but after they increased the price about 20% I decided to try these. What a difference!! They are exactly as described...large size, completely fresh and only full almonds; not filled with broken or slivered pieces. I put these out when anyone stops by the house and they make a great presentation!

The product was fine, but a few almonds did escape.

At least, mine weren't. And, they came in an unlabeled bag, but that was back in July 2020. The seller was different also, And, it does say that packaging may vary. I was a California almond grower for 33 years. I sold to Blue Diamond. As such, I know the laws surrounding the issue of pasteurization. It's required by law on all almonds sold within the USA. There are 2 methods, stream & PPO. Here's what you should know about PPO: Propylene oxide (PPO) is a registered fumigant in the US for reduction of bacteria, yeasts, and mold on raw nut meats, etc., and PPO fumigation has been used by the nut industry for insect and microbial control for decades. Recently, ABC funded research projects demonstrated that PPO fumigation is an effective treatment for almond pasteurization. The efficacy study of PPO pasteurization for almond kernels was carried out by Dr. Linda Harris of the University of California, Davis (UCD) and ABC staff in collaboration with Blue Diamond Growers, Inc. (Sacramento, CA) and Industrial Sterilization (Sparks, NV) (ABC Supporting Document DOC001). After reviewing all research findings obtained from the studies sponsored by ABC on the efficacy of PPO in reducing Salmonella in almonds, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Letter of Determination confirming the validity of PPO as a pasteurization treatment for raw almond kernels in September 2004 (ABC Supporting Document DOC004). Accordingly, almonds which are treated in accordance with the PPO treatment parameters described in the study can be labeled as “pasteurized.” Prior to PPO being used for pasteurization to prevent pathogens like salmonella, it was used to prevent any insect eggs from hatching out, especially codling moth eggs, which are always present in almonds. Steam can also prevent all of same issues. But, the ones that I received had never had either! That's illegal! I ordered these in July, and they didn't come in a labelled bag, as pictured here (it does say packaging may vary). Mine were in an unmarked bag, and now I realize that they came directly from the huller, not a processor. And, they haven't been pasteurized! I stored them in my pantry, sealed in 1 gallon zip lock bags in mid July. It's now Christmas Eve, & I just got the bags out to get nuts for my Christmas guests, and they have tons of dead moths and moth frass in them. They were never fumigated, at all. Some may think this a plus, especially those with chemical paranoia, but the seller should point this out, so that the buyer knows what they're getting and how to store them. But, the seller is never going to do that, as the seller has violated federal law by selling them un-pasteurized/fumigated! As these appear to not have been fumigated, if you don't want moths hatching out in them, store them in either the refrigerator, or in the freezer. Doing so will not effect the flavor and freshness is preserved. But, don't forget that you could be subjecting yourself to salmonella if you eat them! To test them to see if the ones delivered top you were fumigated. Fill a 1 Qt zip lock baggie about half full and place them in a warm area. Put the rest in zip lock bags in either the fridge, or freezer. Check the quart bag weekly for signs of moth activity, frass, or dead and live moths.

I'll admit, I did not research the seller to the degree I probably should in order to be able to vouch for their sustainability practices....but for the value, there is not a better option available. (Just trust me on that-- I've already done the exhausting comparisons for you..)

The Almonds are of a good large size and taste wonderfully good, rather than small and very hard nuts. The delivery was fast and they are shipped packed very well

First time buyer by this company. I will never buy them again. The taste is awful and they are shriveled.

These taste fresh and are fairly large in size. Worth buying in quantity just for the freshness!!!

Usually they are relatively good, not great, but a very good value. Then other times they are shriveled up, rubbery texture, and do not roast well; you almost have to burn them to get them to come out crunchy. I have been buying them in quantity for several years.