Bitter almond
As bitter almonds both occurring in small amounts bitter sweet were almonds and the almonds of the subspecies Prunus dulcis var. Amara called.
ingredients
Untreated bitter almonds are not suitable for human consumption. They contain approx. 3 to 5% amygdalin , a cyanogenic glycoside , from which toxic hydrogen cyanide ( hydrogen cyanide ) and benzaldehyde (C 6 H 5 −CHO) are split off during the digestion process. Both compounds smell similar, but hydrocyanic acid is highly toxic; the seasoning value is exclusively due to the benzaldehyde. After hydrolysis of the amygdalin of a single bitter almond, about one milligram of hydrocyanic acid is formed.
Toxicity
Hydrocyanic acid is very poisonous, but due to its volatility and heat sensitivity, only a harmless amount of hydrogen cyanide can accumulate in a heated dish prepared with bitter almonds. However, consuming uncooked bitter almonds is extremely dangerous, as hydrogen cyanide is only formed in the stomach. Serious poisoning is rare in adults, but children are already at risk from just a few bitter almonds. Depending on body weight, around five to ten bitter almonds in children and 50 to 60 in adults lead to fatal prussic acid poisoning . It is assumed that a single bitter almond per kilogram of body weight leads to fatal symptoms of poisoning (hydrogen cyanide). However, the unpleasant taste usually prevents poisoning.
Natural occurrence
Hydrocyanic acid is also found in other nuclei of the genus Prunus , e.g. B. peach , apricot , nectarine and, to a lesser extent, cherry and plum u. a. in front. Similar warnings apply to the kernels of these fruits.
Almond trees occasionally carry bitter almonds, which can hardly be distinguished from the sweet almonds from the outside. This natural proportion is around two percent and is completely harmless to health. The exclusive cultivation of bitter almonds on special plantations serves to obtain bitter almond oil , which is freed from hydrogen cyanide compounds ("debittered").
use
For the production of Christmas stollen , bitter almonds are used for their special taste.
Instead of bitter almonds, you can also use their oil, bitter almond oil, for baking. Backaroma the flavor of bitter almonds (the aroma tubes) only tastes of almonds and contains only flavors, but no hydrogen cyanide.
trade
In Germany, bitter almonds are mainly sold to end customers through pharmacies and health food stores.
Web links
- On the toxicity of bitter almonds at giftpflanze.com.
