Nuts, Seeds & Pastes
Almond Paste (unsweetened) in gelato
Unsweetened almond paste is 100% ground blanched almonds with no added sugar. In gelato it is a high-fat, high-solids flavor and body builder that delivers rich almond character while adding very little water or sugar.
Balancing parameters
Per 100 g of product, verified against independent food-science sources (listed below).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solids | 96% |
| Water | 4% |
| Sugars | 4.5% |
| Fat | 55% |
| MSNF | 0% |
| Protein | 21% |
| POD (sweetening power) | 4.5 |
| PAC (anti-freezing power) | 4.5 |
Typical use: Typically 6-12% of the mix (about 60-120 g/kg), depending on desired intensity and total-fat ceiling.
Balance almond paste (unsweetened) in a real recipe
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Open the balancerHow to use it in gelato
Use pure almond paste to build authentic nut flavor and body without cooked-nut aromas from re-toasting. It contributes roughly 55% fat and 21% protein but only about 4.5% sugar, so its effect on PAC and POD is minimal; balance freezing point and sweetness with your sucrose, dextrose and glucose. Because it is nearly anhydrous, it raises total solids and fat sharply, adding creaminess and slowing melt, so watch total fat and adjust milk fat down accordingly.
Origin & background
Almonds (Prunus dulcis) are native to the Middle East and Central Asia and are among the earliest domesticated tree nuts. Ground almond pastes have anchored Mediterranean confectionery for centuries, notably Sicily's pasta di mandorla and marzipan traditions tied to Palermo's medieval convents. Modern USDA data (SR Legacy 12061) documents raw almonds at about 50g fat, 21g protein and 4.4g sugar per 100g.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Nuts%2C_almonds_nutritional_value.html (USDA SR Legacy 12061 / FDC 170567: water 4.41g, fat 49.93g, protein 21.15g, carbohydrate 21.55g, sugars 4.35g, fiber 12.5g per 100g)
- https://www.almonds.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/Almond%20Nutrient%20Comparison%20%202021.pdf (Almond Board of California nutrient comparison chart, independent tabulation of almond macronutrients)
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/ (USDA FoodData Central, Nuts, almonds FDC ID 170567; blanched almonds entry: fat ~52.5g, protein ~21.4g, sugars ~4.4g per 100g)
- https://foodstruct.com/food/nuts-almonds-blanched (USDA-sourced blanched almond profile, supporting reference)