is almond extract made with almonds

Pure almond extract is made from almonds, or from the pits of stone fruits that have been cold pressed and combined with alcohol and water. Imitation almond extract, on the other hand, is made from synthetic materials made to taste like the flavor extracted from the almonds or stone fruits.

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.

Where to Buy

Almond extract is ubiquitous at supermarkets—find it in the baking aisle or near the spices.

Homemade Almond Extract – Results!

FAQ

Can people with almond allergies have almond extract?

What is almond extract made of?

Is almond extract the same as eating almonds?

Can I use almond oil if I’m allergic to almonds?

What is almond extract made out of?

In addition, similar compounds to those found in almonds, peach pits, and apricot pits can be derived synthetically in labs or from cassia (a plant with a flavor similar to cinnamon) to create artificial extracts. Pure almond extract is made from three ingredients—almond oil, alcohol, and water.

What can be made with raw almonds?

You can grind them to make a flour that goes great with fruits and yogurt, use them in place of nuts to make pesto, make a mousse or pate, add to your granola, and even make sauce or almond milk.

Is almond extract a fruit?

(Unless you’re in full-on almond crescent cookie mode, in which case, stock up!) Origin: Almonds are stone fruits and part of the biological genus known as Prunus, which also includes fruits like plums, apricots, and cherries. How it’s made: Most commercial almond extract is not actually made from almonds but from other stone fruit pits.

How do you make almond extract?

To make almond extract, you just need water, alcohol, and bitter almond oil. The most important component of that last ingredient is a chemical called benzaldehyde. It chiefly imparts a strong almond flavor and is found in all drupe seeds — hence the drupe dupe that almond extract is able to pull off.