It has just come to my attention that the laws have changed again,
since my last purchase. Apparently they found a way to close up that
loophole.
Please read below if you are interested. If not hit the Delete button
http://www.california-almonds.com/tell-me-about-pasteurization/info_11.html
Recently there has been much confusion in the popular press regarding
the requirement of "pasteurization" of Almonds. We are asked over and
over if our Almonds are "pasteurized".
_*Important News About Our Shippable 2008 Almond Crop !*_
D&S Ranches, an Orchard Grower in the San Joaquin Valley of California,
has an Important Announcement to make regarding Pasteurization of our
Naturally Grown California Almonds! After the Almond Board Rule went
into effect we began to extensively research the Best, most
Non-Intrusive methods available to reduce bacteria on the skin of the
nut without affecting the nut meat itself.
_*The Good News:*_
The Good news is that we have found a process that does just that !
This method was developed for the Spices Food Group where any alteration
or destruction of the interior of the nut or spice kernel would destroy
the delicate value of the item. As it turns out we were able to get this
technology approved for application on our Selma California Grown Nut Crop!
*
_*How It Works:
*_
*
The process is very expensive and requires the latest in
production technology. It is centered on Water Based Botanical
Principles. We call this process H20-UN-Pasteurization. The
almonds are held in a chamber that draws down the air to a vacuum,
so all the air born bacteria and pathogens are removed from the
chamber, then a computer controlled mist of sterile distilled
water dry stream is injected in to the chamber. This steam is
computer controlled and balanced against the known weight of each
nut. As the small amount of Steam condenses on the skin of the nut
it transfers only minimal heat energy just to the surface it
contacts! The nut meat is never heated internally!
*
After the dry steam injection, a 4 to 6 second process, the
chamber is then evacuated again causing the condensed purified
water to evaporate from the skin of the nut. Next the chamber is
brought back to normal conditions with HEPA Filtered Air.
*
This process preserves the internal natural balance of enzymes,
amino acids, proteins, and most importantly it preserves the
natural living nature of the nut! You can sprout these Almonds !
*
We are sure you will be very satisfied with this process, and as
far as we know we are the only Ranch Direct Almond Grower in the
San Joaquian Valley of California that is using this expensive,
and time consuming process, so that we may bring you the very
finest in US Graded Fancy #1 California Almonds !
_*Please beware of other processes:*_
We are concerned that there are a good number of other processes out
there that are very inferior and some are outright dangerous! The most
common is simple autoclave sterilization and this is, essentially, just
cooking the nut. After an autoclave process, the nut is no longer
living, it is dead, and all the valuable nutrients of the nut have been
cooked and destroyed. Unfortunately the Almond Board, under pressure
from the Big Almonds Handlers, Processors and Growers are calling and
labeling these nuts as RAW ! They ARE NOT RAW! They are COOKED !
Other processes are using PPO (Propylene Oxide Gas). You should never,
every under any circumstances eat nuts exposed to PPO Gas. PPO is a
known carcinogen (causes cancer). It is toxic and poisonous!.. The
European Union (EU) has prohibited the use of PPO Gas on any Human Food
Product. The USDA and the FDA still allow it. Inquire with your store
if their nuts have been exposed to PPO ! Make sure you know! This is
serious business.
Marshall,
Its the ALMONDS that are being Pasteurized NOT the Apricots. And
since California controls virtually 100% of the almond market its
a mess. Not only that they are allowed to sell the pasteurized
almonds with a RAW label. Can you believe this? So raw almonds are
not raw any more and haven't been for a couple of years.