anon62678, I appreciate your comment, but I was referring to the bitter almonds. I am not talking about US sold almonds, which are not technically raw.

DocRock, I have "heard" of numerous accounts where people will eat the raw "bitter" almonds their whole life without any issues. Are you saying that this is not possible?

Also, are imported almonds from Brazil (the ones that Trader Joe's sells) poisonous? Since they are not actually processed, then the supposed cyanide would still be present, right?

Two more things: first, it was my understanding that the cyanide was only poisonous if mixed with another chemical and thus bitter almonds would not harm humans.

Second, do the pasteurized (at 115 degrees) almonds have any significant nutritional value that comes close to that of purely raw almonds? If so, then I would have no problem eating pasteurized almonds; however, I have heard that truly raw almonds are much more healthy - to the point of preventing most cancers.

Ok guys, let an MD answer this.

It is true that if you eat too many truly raw bitter almonds, you will get cyanide poisoning. But...

If you live in the United States of America, then you are not eating truly raw almonds. Starting in 2007, all almonds in the USA, Canada, and Mexico are required to be pasteurized by law. This even applies to "organic" products.

So, if you live in the good ol' US of A, eat as many as you want.

Tchay - You probably shouldn't let yourself get so upset over almonds, first of all. But more importantly, I think you might have misread the article.

It said one type of almond (bitter, unprocessed almonds -- not the sweet version that you typically buy at your local store) can contain toxic amounts of whatever. I don't think you can make the logical jump from that to eating almonds will kill you.

Best, Sara - a grateful follower of Internet publications since it helps spread information that some people otherwise wouldn't have been able to attain! :)

Sites like this make me so mad. Not only are they making a controversial claim without any scientific evidence to back it up, they happen to be wrong.

Viewers, do not lose hope after reading this load of horse crap.

Are truly raw almonds safe to eat??

Ask these four people: a doctor, a chemist, a botanist, a person who has been eating truly raw almonds their whole life.

Ask those four individuals (and then some) and you will have your answer. And I mean actually, physically talk to them. Cyberspace is not the place for truth - which is why I am not making a definite claim about truly raw almonds.

Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to shove a handful of raw poisonous almonds down my throat.

Almost every time that I eat a peach or a nectarine, I get the pit, crack it with a hammer and eat the almond inside it. It's a bit bitter but I like it and it is not poisonous, at least I am still alive.

What happens is that the seed has two main compounds: the cyanide and the benzaldehide, both poisonous, but the combination of both makes it perfectly OK, just like salt. Sodium and chloride, each one of them is a poison, but in combination are not poisonous.

Disclaimer: if you eat them, ask your doctor. I am not recommending anything.

Continue with the information: "The Hunza Tribe" in Asia eat this bitter almond of the peaches and apricot all the time, they claim to live an average of 160 years and they do not get cancer, which cannot coexist if you eat this seed on regular basis.

The women from the Hunza tribe get the apricot seed and they make an oil to apply in their skin and women at age 80 look like in their 20's. Again I am not advocating the use of this. If you want to try it research it further on your own and ask your doctor (this is further disclaiming in this suit country).

One thing I would appreciate if someone could tell me where to buy these bitter almonds, specially the organic type. Trader Joe's used to sell them now they don't have them any more.

i want to eat to raw, bitter almonds. Is it ok? please confirm.

Hello, could anybody tell me where to buy "poor man's almond"? is the "almond that is inside the pit of peaches and apricots. Traders Joesd use to sell them, but they discontinued. It has substances that fight cancer.

I would appreciate your help, since I want to buy it for the mother of a friend that has advanced stage cancer.

I was eating a peach last night and the pit opened and the seed inside looked and tasted very much like an almond. But I didn't eat the whole thing because I was worried it might be poisonous.

I discovered by accident that the pit of a nectarine has a nut also, it tastes like almond, which brought me to this site to read up....

Family: I doubt they would be edible. XP

Since almonds and peaches belong to the same family they can pollinate each other if growing in the close proximity. Almonds will produce much better if pollen is available from another tree.

apricot pits are bitter almonds.

apricot pits are often used as a substitute for bitter almonds. gmza

I've heard that the Chinese translation of almond is xing ren, which means apricot pit. I don't think that is true, but the the chinese friend who told me insists that it is true. Is it?

There was mention that almonds are much like the inside of a peach pit...is the almond looking portion on the inside of a peach edible?

I think you mean they are high in good fats, ie monounsaturated. Plants do not contain cholesterol, only animal products do. Plants however do contain compounds that can effect cholesterol. Almonds are also quite nutritrous despire being calorie dense.