10 Best Almonds in India 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist

Ruchi Wadhwa is a certified Nutritionist with a keen interest in Ayurvedic sciences. She has a wholesome, holistic, and sustainable approach to nutrition. Check out the Food and drinks section as she has reviewed some more articles on the mybest website.

Our chosen products are well researched based on the buying guide curated by the mybest team. In addition, we referred to more than 100 reviews on Amazon for the top 3 products. Scroll down if you want to know more about our reviewing system.

Based on the buying guide that is thoroughly researched by the mybest team, we have selected the best products from EC sites like Amazon, Flipkart, Urban Platter, and more. Please scroll down to read the buying guide, as it will give you more clarity in deciding the right pack of almonds for you.

One ounce serving of almonds contains about 3.5 - 4 grams of fiber. It can improve your digestive functions and promote weight loss. You get 6 grams of protein that will aid your body in building and repairing tissues and bones.

Almonds are a good source of healthy fat. It has 14 grams of fat per serving, of which 9 grams are monounsaturated. They can reduce LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), cholesterol, thus reducing heart attack and stroke risk. Almonds also have high vitamin E content. It can help improve your skin and hair health, speed up wound healing, etc.

Other vitamins and minerals present in almonds include manganese (reduces inflammation, regulates blood sugar level), magnesium (lowers blood pressure, fights depression), and copper (keeps cells healthy, aids in the absorption of iron, promote strong immune system). 

This buying guide is thoroughly researched by the mybest team with the cooperation of nutritionist Ruchi Wadhwa. We will discuss the characteristics of different almond varieties, the benefits of eating peeled almonds, and many more. By the time you finish, you will have a clear idea about the right variety and form to choose, depending on your needs.

The differences between different almond varieties in India are subtle but significant. There are four types of almonds popular in our country: California, Mamra, Gurbandi, and Kashmir.

Grown in California, United States of America, California almonds comprise 80% of the almonds produced in the world. They are sweet and crunchy. You can snack on them, use them as garnishing or make almond milk. Mamra almonds have a concave shape, making it easy for you to confirm the authenticity of products. 

It has the highest natural sugar content of all almonds types, which makes it an amazing energy snack. Mamra has more oil than California, but it is not the variety with the most oil content. That's Gurbandi (also known as Choti Giri).

Gurbandi and Kashmiri almonds have more oil content, meaning the almond is closer to its natural form and less/no processing is done, but low-processing also means bitter taste, so if you care more about the nutritional value, we recommend looking for higher oil content.

Gurbandi almonds are slightly bitter in flavor because of the high oil content. Because of their high nutritional value, Gurbandi is the preferred variety of almonds, they are used for making almond oil and also helps sharpen memory. They are rich in nutrients such as omega 3, vitamin E, and phytochemicals.

The next variety is popular for the region it comes from—Kashmir. This variety is sweeter because of the cold climate they are grown in and has more oil content (around 40%) than California almonds. Since Kashmiri almonds don't have a specific shape or size, it is difficult to check the ones you buy are genuine. You can buy almonds in different forms too.

Almonds with their skin removed are called blanched almonds. The brown peel of the almonds contains antioxidants and fiber, known for eliminating free radicals from your body and improving digestion. But the skin also contains biomolecules called tannins, which interfere with the complete absorption of nutrients present in badams by our body.

That's why it is recommended to eat blanched almonds. The tannins also impart a slightly bitter flavor to almonds. Blanched almonds have a buttery taste and are easily available online, but they are even more expensive than the unblanched ones.

Unblanched almonds? The skin contains antioxidants that have many health benefits including improving heart health, decreasing oxidative stress, and reducing inflammation. You can soak and peel them at home and eat them unblanched occasionally.

There is a way to enjoy almonds without swallowing them and still benefit from their high nutritional content. Buy flavored almonds. They can come roasted and spiced, sugar roasted, roasted and salted, dipped in chocolate, etc. 

But make sure that they are roasted with very little or no oil. The roasting process releases the oils present in the almonds, changing their flavor profile. Flavored almonds are usually high in calories compared to raw almonds.

Check the nutrition table behind the pack to find out the number of calories you are consuming. Instead of the unhealthy fried potato chips and sugar-laden donuts, binge on nutrition-rich flavored almonds.

Try green almonds for a change. They are cheaper and offer the same health benefits as mature almonds. Only the texture is different. It is a bit gelatinous and tastes just like mature almonds. You can enjoy green almonds in many ways.

You can pickle them, add them to salads, stews, and soups, and even serve them with tuna or chicken. Try green almonds dipped in sea salt. It has a distinct flavor that you will love. Add some olive oil to change the flavor and make it even healthier. 

Why buy almond milk from the store when you can easily make fresh almond milk at home. Chef Dani Spies is here with a simple recipe involving five easy steps to make delicious almond milk.

1. Soak the almonds in cold water
2. Add vanilla extract and/or pitted date for sweetness (optional)
3. Add a pinch of salt
4. Blend the soaked almonds, and
5. Separate almond meal from the milk

That's it. Enjoy fresh almond milk without preservatives and added sugar.

There are some common questions related to almonds to which we have the answers but don't know the science behind it, so here are some of them addressed by nutritionist Ruchi Wadhwa.

It is best if you consume almonds after soaking them overnight. This is done to reduce the number of anti-nutrients like oxalates and phytates, which hinder the absorption of several minerals like calcium, iron, etc. Moreover, soaking helps to improve the digestibility of peel and improves the overall taste.

Yes, it turns out our grandparents were right; almonds do help in improving memory as they are rich in nutrients like pyridoxine, zinc, protein, and vitamin E, which are needed to improve the brain's cognitive functioning, including memory. 

Talking about drinks reminds us of our love for chai. We, as Indians, just a cup of chai to relieve all the stress and feel energized. Click on the links below to check out our ten top picks and buying guides for cocoa powders, coffee, and chai patti in India.

Mamra almonds are the most nutritious and have high sugar content. If you are cutting down on sugar, we recommend minimizing your Mamra almond intake. Gurbandi can be used to extract almond oil. You will get a high yield since this variety has a high oil content. Kashmiri almonds are sweeter due to the cold climate in grow in. Pick the right variety to make almond milk, flour, oil, and many more at home.

Written by - Arun F Xaviour

Reviewed by - Nutritionist Ruchi Wadhwa

The top 3 products are selected based on more than 100 reviews from EC site Amazon.

Overall, the 7 remaining products are chosen based on the buying guide, thoroughly researched by the mybest team.

Reviews and Ratings

We chose products after comparing more than 100 reviews and product ratings on Amazon.

If You Prefer Sweet Almonds, Go for California and Mamra

We checked the reviews on California almonds sweet flavor and crunchy texture, and for mamra almonds, we confirmed whether or not they have a concave shape.

If You Want Natural Form of Almonds, Go for Gurbandi or Kashmiri

We checked the reviews for Gurbandi almonds, whether they have a bitter flavor and if Kashmiri almonds are sweet. 

Choose - Blanched Almonds Are Good for Digestion and Unblanched Improve Heart Health

We checked if the blanched almonds have a slightly bitter flavour and a buttery taste. 

Pick Flavored Almonds If You Prefer Roasted With Less/No Oil

We checked if the flavored almonds are roasted or have very little or no oil. Also, if they didn’t have too many calories. 

Get Green Almonds as They Are Inexpensive & Offer Same Health Benefits

We checked if the green almonds are thick and were not highly-priced.