WTF Is Almond Meal and How Can You Use It?

Really, WTF is this almond flour that everyone is going on about? And what's the difference between that and almond meal? Well, both almond meal and almond flour are made by grinding almonds. Although they're easy to mistake as the same product, almond flour is most often made with sweet blanched almonds (no skin), whereas almond meal can be made either with whole or blanched almonds. They can be used interchangeably, although using flour from blanched almonds will produce a more refined, less grainy result. Whether you’re following a Paleo diet, pursuing a Keto lifestyle, or just looking to cut down on carbs in general, it’s helpful to have a bag of almond flour or meal handy in the pantry. Almonds are packed with lots of vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients that make them beneficial for improving complexions, aiding in the movement of food through the colon, and preventing cancer. Plus, researchers who studied data from the Nurses Health Study estimated that substituting nuts for an equivalent amount of carbohydrates in an average diet resulted in a 30 percent reduction in heart disease risk. Furthermore, almonds appear to not only decrease after-meal increases in blood sugar, but also provide antioxidants to mop up free radicals. And each cup of almond flour contains about 90 almonds. That's a lot of good-for-you in every bite! Now that you know a little bit more about almond flour, here are six great ways to start using it in your everyday cooking.