Use Almond Extract to Flavor Your Food and Boost Your Health

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If you reach for vanilla extract every time you want to add flavor to a recipe, consider almond extract instead. This sweet, clear liquid adds a burst of flavor to various baked goods and desserts. Producers make it by pressing bitter almonds, just as olive oil is pressed from olives. And in addition to flavoring your favorite dishes, it also provides some benefits to your health.

An Overview

Components

Almond ExtractAlmond extract is comprised of bitter almond oil mixed with water and alcohol. Bitter almonds are not edible because they contain hydrogen cyanide. However, the hydrogen cyanide is taken out during the extraction of the oil, so the oil is safe to use. Despite the name, bitter almonds provide a sweet flavor.

Types

Almond extract comes in different varieties, so make sure you read the label before buying it. If the label says “pure,” the extract comes from bitter almonds. If the label says “natural,” the extract comes from cassia bark essence, which is a type of cinnamon. The first two are natural extracts, but artificial extract, which will be of lesser quality and taste, is also available on the market. This man-made type is labeled “imitation.”

Uses of Almond Extract

Application

Since it has a strong flavor, you generally only need about ½ tsp. of this extract to flavor a recipe. You don’t want to add too much or it will overpower the other flavors in your recipe and make it too sweet. And since it’s so sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar you put in your desserts.

Types of Dishes

This extract adds flavor to numerous varieties of desserts, from marzipan and cheesecake to cookies, biscotti, and bars. It also flavors foods like crackers and bread and is popular in Scandinavian dishes. It adds a hint of flavor to French toast when added to the egg dip and a delectable taste to sugar cookies without changing the color. It also goes with pitted fruits like apricots, peaches and cherries, so you can add it to desserts and baked goods that contain them. Further, almond flavor complements creamy foods like ice cream, whipped cream, and meringue.

Non-Food Uses

Aside from food, the extracts of both bitter and sweet almonds are used topically in aromatherapy and body care products, such as soaps and perfumes. Almond oil improves the condition of the skin and is used to treat numerous skin conditions like eczema. It is also used for conditioning wood.

Health Benefits

The amount of almond oil you obtain through almond extract is small, so you might not get enough to obtain its health benefits, unless you add it to many dishes or use it in other forms like almond cooking oil or almond syrup. Nonetheless, many health benefits are attributed to almond oil, although more research is needed to confirm some of them. Almonds are comprised of mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are associated with reducing many risk factors of heart disease. Almond oil and extract might provide the following benefits:

• Improving the immune system
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Improving bowel function
• Anti-hepatotoxicity (liver damage from chemicals) properties
• Lowering the risk of colon cancer
• Heart benefits, such as improving cholesterol levels
• Improving the condition of the skin

As you can see, almond extract provides many uses and health benefits. So, the next time you go to use peppermint, cherry, or any other extract, think of almond instead for its sweet and powerful flavor that will make your guests ask what that delicious hint of flavor is.

Further Reading

http://www.mccormick.com/products/extracts-and-food-colors/extracts/pure-almond-extract.aspx

http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices/almond-extract

http://www.bonappetit.com/tipstools/ingredients/2008/04/almond_extract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20129403

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/bpc1911/prunus-dulc_oleu.html

Almond Extract Substitute

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Many recipes call for almond extract, taken from almond oil. However, it has a very strong and bitter taste. Some people are allergic to nuts, particularly almonds while others simply do not care for the flavor of almond extract. In that case, there are options for an almond extract substiture when cooking. It is especially important when considering any potential dangers involved with tree nut allergies when preparing foods with almond extract. Anyone who is allergic to peanuts may have allergies to other nuts even if not aware. If there is any doubt whatsoever or possiblity that someone will eat the food that is being prepared with almond extract in the recipe, an almond extract substitute should be used in its place.

Popular Alternatives to Almond Extract

Alternatives vary for an almond extract substitute. Vanilla extract is the most popular choice. Because of the overpowering flavor of almond extract, the amount should be doubled when substituting vanilla extract. However, if the recipe being used is already using vanilla, more does not need to be added. It’s all a matter of taste as well. Some people do not prefer too much sweetness and a heavy use of vanilla will make a recipe on the sweet side. Vanilla will give a mild flavor to the recipe.

When allergies are not an issue for finding an almond extract substitute, almond liqueur can be used and should be in at least 4 to 8 times as much as what is called for in almond extract. Bitter almond oil can also be a substitute and is extremely powerful; a fourth of what is required of almond extract is the rule of thumb when using bitter almond oil.

For the Chef

Cooks can become creative with trying to find an almond extract substitute by using a little lemon, dark rum, or even coconut. Amaretto liqueur and Frangelico, otherwise known as hazelnut, are also recommended, especially when a nut flavoring is preferred and there is no risk involved with nut allergies. Whenever searching for a replacement for an ingredient, it gives the chef a chance to expand his or her repertoire and experiment. A new, appealing flavor may be discovered by adding a bit of this or that in the interests of finding substitutes.

For any recipe that requires almond extract, it’s important to remember:

  • Almond Extract has a powerful, possibly overpowering taste and needs to be used in small quantities
  • There is the possibility of adverse reactions for people with tree nut allergies
  • A variety of substitutes can be used in recipes as well as omission of almond extract

Cooking

Cooking is an art and as will all arts, it is often trial and error with a great deal of practice before perfection. Using an almond extract substitute can improve upon the tried and true or simply provide a variety in flavor that will be a favorite for some while others want to stick with the old. For anyone trying to walk on the wild side, imaginative use of substitutes is often effective in creating choice recipes.

How to Make Almond Extract

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One of most appreciated extracts of any kind is certainly almond extract. Due to its rich and distinctive flavor, It is extensively used in baking and it is one of the key ingredient in number of cookies and cakes recipes. Good part is that it is not difficult at all to make your own very authentic extract. The most important ingredient in doing so will be alcohol which will work as a necessary solvent. This is because alcohol can extract the volatile oils from the nuts –and these oils are the ones that carry with them all the flavors.

So follow these easy 5 steps:

Step One – Grind the almonds. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using food processors. You have to be careful here not to over grind them because then they will turn into a cream and butterfly mix. You actually want to grind them to the point where they are the size of soluble coffee or raw sugar.

Step Two – Mix it with alcohol. Place ground almonds inside a glass jar and for each cup of almonds pour in two cups of good quality vodka. Many people prefer to use brandy, but each brandy offers its own blend of aroma and taste. If you want the most neutral flavor, stick with vodka. However, you can always experiment to see which one adds the nicest flavor for you personally.

Step Three – Guard it. Put an air tight lid on a jar and place it in a dark place.

Step Four – Shake it. Once a day, take the jar out and shake it few times. Repeat this every day for around 6 weeks.

Step Five – Strain it. In six weeks, the oil should be inside alcohol mix and the almond extract should be ready. So, strain the liquid through an ordinary coffee filter and pour the extract inside the bottle in which you plan to keep it in.

Although you can use any kind and types of bottles, the ones that work the best are darkened, glass ones that do not permit too much light to interact with the extract. Those bottles are then optimally placed in dark, cool and dry places such as cupboards. There they can last for years to com.

You will notice right away that created substance will taste differently than commercial ones you can buy at grocery stores. It is because you made your extract with sweet almonds, the only one you can actually buy in stores. However the commercial produces use bitter almonds which taste quite different. The problem with them is that they can be quite toxic. They actually contain cyanide which is very poisonous substance. A by product of cyanide creation is a substance called benzaldehyde which is actually responsible for all the rich flavor. Commercial producers through chemical reactions remove toxic cyanide while still keeping benzaldehyde, which makes the finished product perfectly safe for consumption. Since this is a process that is not best to be experimented at home, you are stuck with sweet almonds only.

However, quite a few people decide to enrich their almond extract by using seeds from nectarine and peaches fruits. Then can be found inside fruits pits, and once they are cracked and seeds dried, those nuts give exact essence of bitter almonds. Most likely 2 or 3 of those seeds will not cause you any health problems, but if you want to be on a safe side, it’s always better to stick to your sweet almonds.

Pure Almond Extract

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Many people experience health problems throughout their lives that can not be totally cured. These health problems often have to be managed and maintained in order to keep from having a bad effect on the health of the person. One of the most common problems people experience is allergies. Food allergies can cause many different problems in the body of a person who experiences them and many people find that they have trouble managing them properly. Nut allergies are extremely common in people all over the world. This particular allergy can cause anything from indigestion to severe breathing problems in those affected. Nut allergies can cause many problems not only physically for those that have them but socially. People who have nut allergies are forced to carefully watch what they eat and analyze everything they partake in as a means of eliminating any uncomfortable problems that present themselves from eating nuts that shouldn’t be ingested.

Allergies

A very popular way to deal with nut allergies is to use substitutes. One of the most common substitutes from the nut family that many people who have nut allergies find to be preferable and easy to deal with is Almonds. Pure almond extract is perfect for dealing with nut allergies because it does not contain many of the triggers that peanuts or cashews do. This oil can be used for baking as well as other medicinal means. People turn to this extract simply because it is widely available and able to be used in substitution in many meals. It tastes good, looks good and does not present problems in a great deal of people who have nut allergies. Almond extract is the perfect substitute in any baking dish calling for nuts and is often a primary ingredient in many dishes itself.

A Doctor Can Help

When dealing with a severe nut allergy it is important to take many things into consideration. If you know that you have a nut allergy, make sure you know the warning signs. An important step in managing your allergy is going to see your doctor. Your doctor can give you many different suggestions as to how you can deal with your problem and many different ways you can go about managing it effectively. Having a doctor that you can confide in is fantastic as they can help you every step of the way and can even suggest treatments to help with your allergy. Potential health benefits of pure almond extract are:

1. Potentially lower risk of cancer
2. Clearer skin

These two benefits are mainly why people turn to almond extract among tasting great and being the perfect substitute for people with nut allergies.

Many people experience health problems throughout their lives. These can be purely external or internal. Allergies and bad skin are many of the problems that plague people all around the world. When people experience these problems, many turn to the medical community to help them manage their problem. But, there is a natural solution that many people do not know about. Pure almond extract presents an all-natural way for people to manage their nut allergy by being substituted in many baking recipes and by giving the added benefit of clear skin. If you are someone who experiencing problems with their skin or find that you are becoming more and more frustrated because you can never find anything to eat with your nut allergy, almond extract may be what you need to not only help you enjoy all of the foods that you love but also help clear any skin that you feel isn’t at its best. Soon you’ll be enjoying great meals along with the added satisfaction of clear skin.

Almond Extract Recipes

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Almond extract is an excellent and flavorful way to enhance so many wonderful cookies, breads or even crackers. It is a pure sweet and clear ingredient used in small amounts giving a delicious taste to anything you add it to.

Almond extract has a stronger and more potent flavor than vanilla so the amount used in baking desserts is less. With vanilla you use more and are expensive to purchase these days. It does not taste like an almond because it is made with ethyl alcohol and bitter almond oil giving the extract an edible sweet and strong flavor and requires less. The flavor is intense and great with all types of fruits, breads, desserts and more. This makes the almond extract far more economical to use as only a little suits the purpose while using vanilla requires far more added to your dish.

There are many wonderful recipes as the almond extract gives an exceptionally delightful taste. Whether baking or making anytime of dessert, by adding in almond extract instead of the standard traditional vanilla will bring your creation to life with a mouth watering nutty taste.

Almond Extract Recipes

>> Almond Extract Cookies <<

Almond Extract Cookies

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While sugar cookies are pleasurable to eat, adding in some almond extract instead gives them a rich flavor the whole family will enjoy. This is a twist to a sugar cookie recipe that are perfect for any holiday or anytime to enjoy.

Ingredients…

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups flour

Baking Instruction…

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix together the butter and sugar until creamy. Add in the almond extract. Add flour, baking power and salt and blend until the entire mixture is creamy. Spoon some mixture out and drop onto a non greased cookie sheet about two inches apart. Sprinkle some sugar on the cookie sheet with all the dough. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes until golden brown. Let cool then remove cookies and place on a wire rack to completely cool.

This is a wonderful recipe and the almond extract gives the sugar cookies an exceptionally delightful taste. Give these a try and bring your creation to life with a mouth watering nutty taste.