Almond oil is made by pressing almonds, which produces a mild, nutty flavor. It has a subtle, natural sweetness and a slightly nutty aftertaste. Almond extract, on the other hand, is made by combining almond oil with alcohol and other flavorings.
Surprising Facts About Almond Extract
Though it may seem like a straightforward ingredient, theres a lot to learn about almond extract, namely that it might not be made from almonds at all. (Stay with me.) Though they’re known as nuts, almonds are actually the seed of a fruit. Whereas real nuts are found inside hard shells, seeds, like almonds, grow inside of fruit.
Ever had the thought that your peach pit looks awfully like an almond? There’s a reason for that. Almonds, like peaches, are stone fruits. They’re part of the same biological genus known as Prunus, which also includes fruits like plums, apricots, and cherries.
Because many of these stone fruits are used in commercial products like jam or yogurt, their pits, which would otherwise go to waste, are often used to make almond extract. These pits pass because they contain the same ingredient that accounts for the strong flavor of bitter almond oil: a chemical called benzaldehyde.
Almond extracts typically won’t label the origin of the “almond oil,” so you may not know if you’re getting extract from actual almonds or from another stone fruit—and unless you’re a supertaster, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference anyway.
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How to Store
As you should with all extracts, store almond extract in a cool, dry place and make sure it is well-sealed. Ideally you should use your almond extract within a year.
Homemade Almond Extract – Results!
FAQ
Is almond extract the same as almond oil?
Can I put almond extract on my skin?
What is almond extract good for?
Can you use almond extract in body oil?
What is the difference between almond extract and natural almond extract?
To be defined as a pure almond extract (according to the Food and Drug Administration) the bitter almond oil in the extract must be made from bitter almonds or the seeds from other drupes or stone fruits. Natural almond extract on the other hand actually uses cassia bark to derive the almond oil. How is Almond Extract Used?
Do all almonds contain seed oil?
Almond oil is a vegetable oil extracted from almonds. Almond usually refers to the fruit of the almond tree Prunus dulcis. However, technically, almond is the seed found inside the fruit generated by the almond tree. There are two types of almond trees, those that bear sweet fruit and those that bear bitter fruit.
Are almond extract and almond flavoring the same?
Though people often assume that almond extract and almond flavoring are the same thing, they most certainly are not. Though both serve the same purpose (to add almond flavor to a recipe), they have quite a few differences when it comes to production and ingredients. What, then, is the difference between almond extract and almond flavoring?
What is the difference between almond extract and essence?
Secondly, and perhaps the most important is that almost all extract is made from almonds and the flavor is “extracted” using a solvent – which is most commonly alcohol. Whereas, with the essence, or an artificial flavoring, it’s a chemical/synthetic creation that is supposed to emulate the flavor and aromas of an extract.