Headlines are always unsettling when it comes to enjoying the valuable almond fruit. In fact, however, almonds are only considered poisonous in individual cases and under certain conditions. The sweet almond sets the best example.

Recommendations for everyday enjoyment

About 20 grams of sweet almonds are recommended for daily consumption for adults. Raw or processed in food, they are important suppliers of nutrients and vitamins.

For pregnant women, this variety offers a potential supplier of the vital folic acid in even larger quantities.

Primarily in America and southern Europe, the cultivation of almonds is flourishing in a glorious economic limelight. Every generation enjoys the sweet, nutty taste.

Warning: bitter almonds

Quite rightly, when eating these delicacies, doubts arise again and again. In fact, however, it is present exclusively in bitter almonds. In addition, it is important to know that they are only poisonous in their untreated form. The cause is the feared hydrocyanic acid.

Poisoning from the consumption of raw bitter almonds is rarely recorded in adults. This would require the consumption of 50 to 60 almonds of this type.

In contrast, however, 5 to 10 bitter almonds lead to fatal poisoning in children. The amount depends on body weight.

A few facts shed light on the feared world of almonds:

  • Prussic acid is very volatile and extremely sensitive to heat.
  • Prepared in cooked dishes, bitter almonds have a tiny amount of hydrocyanic acid.
  • Bitter almonds become edible when heated sufficiently.

tips and tricks

In your home allotment, it is advisable to only grow sweet almonds to protect people and animals. A colorful selection makes for excellent springtime eye candy.

FT

Category:

Vegetable garden