Tare Almanac · Volume Six working draft. 27 entries · 8 chapters. Facts are research-level and need a domain pass before print.
Tare Almanac · Volume Six

Nuts, Seeds
& Dried Fruit

✦ ✦ ✦
The snack wall, the trail mix wall, and the butter wall.
Tare Bulk Foods
Tare Almanac
Volume Six
✦ ✦ ✦

Nuts, Seeds
& Dried Fruit

✦ ✦ ✦

Twenty-seven snack-shelf staples plus the framing chapters that explain how to actually use them.

Introductioni
A note before you start

How to use this book.

✦ ✦ ✦

The snacking volume. Almonds and cashews get heavy treatment because Tare carries six cashew flavors and three almond formats. Seeds, dried fruit, and a make-your-own trail mix chapter round it out.

Two prose chapters close the book. One is a trail-mix system (ratios, balance, the dollar math). The other is a short storage primer so the bulk-bin savings actually pay off at home.

Inside each entry
  • Common name and source. Latin name where it helps.
  • Three sections. What it is for, how to use it, good-to-know.
  • A panel on the right. Taste, pairings, the serving amount, and three quick patterns.
Tare Almanac · Volume Sixi
Introductionii
A note from the owners

Our philosophy on snacks and dried foods.

✦ ✦ ✦

A bowl of nuts beats a bag of chips on every metric except marketing. Real food, fewer additives, shelf-stable, dense enough that a small portion satisfies. The bulk bin is where snacks make their best case.

We carry the flavor profiles we cook with and snack on ourselves. Some are roasted in-house; some come in already-roasted from sources we trust. The cashew wall is unusually deep because Tennessee, it turns out, has strong opinions about flavored cashews.

Dried fruit is a different category that lives in the same aisle. Concentrated sugar, real fruit. We carry the unsweetened versions where they exist.

Mitchell & Amelia Wilson
Owners, Tare Bulk Foods
Tare Almanac · Volume Sixii
Tare Almanac · Volume SixAlmonds.
01
Chapter 01 of 08

Almonds.

Raw California almonds and roasted almond butter; same nut, two formats.

In this chapter
Raw California AlmondsPrunus dulcis2
Roasted Almond Butter StockPrunus dulcis (stone-ground)2
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six1
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Almonds.Page 2
Nut · Daily protein

Raw California Almonds

Prunus dulcis

Raw, unroasted California almonds. The default snack nut on the wall. About six grams of protein per ounce, plenty of vitamin E and magnesium, holds well in a jar.

What it's for.

Hand-snack, salads, smoothies, baked goods. The fat is mostly monounsaturated; the calorie density makes a small handful (about twenty-three almonds) feel satisfying.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Soak overnight in salted water for a softer texture and easier digestion. Toast in a dry skillet for ten minutes for snack flavor. Grind into almond meal for baking.

Good to know.

Tree-nut allergies are common; this is one of the major ones. Almonds also lock up the most water of any common crop, which is the case against if water footprint matters to you.

Butter · Bring your jar

Roasted Almond Butter Stock

Prunus dulcis (stone-ground)

Stone-ground roasted almond butter, ground to order from the in-store grinder. Bring a jar, pull a lever, weigh, take home. No added oil, no added sugar.

What it's for.

Toast, smoothies, sauces, baking. The roasted version reads as the canonical almond butter (rather than the paler raw version); deeper flavor, slightly looser texture.

How to use it.

Spread on toast with banana. Whisk into a sauce with soy and lime for noodles. Blend a spoonful into a smoothie. Stir well at home; some natural separation is normal.

Good to know.

Tree-nut allergy applies. The grinder is shared with other nut butters; cross-contact is possible if that matters for your household.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Recipe · Almonds.Page 3

Brown Butter Blondies

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>Blondies are the unsung hero of the baking world. Brown butter takes them over the top, adding a toasty, nutty depth that makes these taste like a fancy bakery treat. They take about 10 minutes to mix and 25 minutes to bake. That is a pretty great deal.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter</li><li>1 cup <strong>light brown cane sugar</strong></li><li>1 large <strong>eggs</strong></li><li>1 tsp <strong>vanilla extract</strong></li><li>1 cup <strong>unbleached all purpose flour</strong></li><li>½ tsp <strong>baking powder</strong></li><li>¼ tsp <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li><li>½ cup <strong>semi sweet chocolate chips</strong></li><li>½ cup <strong>walnuts</strong>, roughly chopped</li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.</li><li>Brown the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden and fragrant. Pour into a large bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.</li><li>Whisk the brown sugar into the butter until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, whisking until combined.</li><li>Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined.</li><li>Gently stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts.</li><li>Spread the batter into the prepared dish.</li><li>Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the top is set and golden but the center is still slightly soft.</li><li>Cool completely before slicing.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>Do not overbake. Blondies firm up significantly as they cool.</li><li>Swap the walnuts for <strong>pecan halves</strong> or leave them out entirely.</li><li>These keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 3
Tare Almanac · Volume SixThe Cashew Wall.
02
Chapter 02 of 08

The Cashew Wall.

Six flavors, the most-flavored bin at Tare. Plain, Cajun, Churro, Pizza, Curry, Everything Bagel.

In this chapter
Roasted & Salted Whole CashewsAnacardium occidentale5
Cajun CashewsAnacardium occidentale (Cajun seasoned)5
Churro CashewsAnacardium occidentale (cinnamon-sugar)6
Pizza CashewsAnacardium occidentale (Italian seasoned)6
Organic Roasted Curry CashewsAnacardium occidentale (curry blend)7
Roasted Everything Bagel CashewsAnacardium occidentale (everything seasoning)7
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six4
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · The Cashew Wall.Page 5
Nut · The base

Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews

Anacardium occidentale

Roasted and lightly salted whole cashews. The base of the cashew wall and the snack to memorize. Buttery, slightly sweet, calorie-dense.

What it's for.

Snacking, cashew cream, stir-fry. About five grams of protein per ounce; lower magnesium than almonds but higher iron and zinc.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Soak for two hours and blend with water for cashew cream (dairy-free, neutral, infinitely useful). Toss into stir-fries in the last minute.

Good to know.

Tree-nut allergy applies. Raw cashews from the bin are actually steam-treated; truly raw cashews contain urushiol (the poison ivy compound) and are never sold to consumers.

Nut · Spicy snack

Cajun Cashews

Anacardium occidentale (Cajun seasoned)

Roasted cashews tumbled with Cajun spice: cayenne, paprika, garlic, oregano, black pepper. Heat-forward, slightly smoky.

What it's for.

Snacking, especially with cold drinks. The spice balance is built for adults; not the kid's bowl.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Pair with a cold drink. Crush a handful over a green salad for a Cajun crunch topping.

Good to know.

Heat level is medium; cumulative across a handful. Sodium content is moderate.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · The Cashew Wall.Page 6
Nut · Dessert snack

Churro Cashews

Anacardium occidentale (cinnamon-sugar)

Roasted cashews coated in cinnamon and sugar like a fairground churro. Sweet, warm, faintly butterscotch.

What it's for.

Dessert snacking, holiday giving, kid's bowls. A small portion goes a long way; richer than plain cashews.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Chop and sprinkle over vanilla ice cream. Add to a holiday cookie tin for variety.

Good to know.

Higher in sugar than plain cashews; treat as dessert, not a daily snack.

Nut · Savory snack

Pizza Cashews

Anacardium occidentale (Italian seasoned)

Roasted cashews coated with tomato powder, oregano, basil, and garlic. Tastes weirdly like a slice of cheese pizza, which is the point.

What it's for.

Snacking, party bowls, anywhere you want a savory non-cheese nut.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Toss with popcorn for a movie-night mix. Crush over a tomato salad for an unexpected crunch.

Good to know.

Sodium and added flavoring are moderate. The flavor is friendly to kids who balk at plain cashews.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · The Cashew Wall.Page 7
Nut · Warm spice

Organic Roasted Curry Cashews

Anacardium occidentale (curry blend)

Organic cashews coated in a curry blend: turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, a touch of heat. Warm, yellow-orange, deeply spiced.

What it's for.

Snacking, especially in fall and winter. Pairs beautifully with a hot drink. Curry blends carry real digestive aromatics, so the post-snack feel is good.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Toss into a green salad with apple and red onion. Chop over a bowl of dal for crunch.

Good to know.

Turmeric in food doses is gentle. Heat level is mild; the warmth is the spices rather than the chili.

Nut · Bagel-shop savory

Roasted Everything Bagel Cashews

Anacardium occidentale (everything seasoning)

Cashews tumbled with everything-bagel seasoning: sesame, poppy, garlic, onion, salt. Reads like a savory bagel bite without the bread.

What it's for.

Snacking, on top of avocado toast, crushed over scrambled eggs. The seasoning is doing all the work and it works.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Crush over avocado toast. Mix into a homemade trail mix with dried mango for a strange-and-correct combination.

Good to know.

Sodium is moderate-high. Sesame allergy applies for some.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Recipe · The Cashew Wall.Page 8

Cashew Milk

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>Cashew milk is the easiest nut milk to make at home because cashews blend so smoothly that you do not even need to strain it. The result is a beautifully creamy milk with a mild, slightly sweet flavor that works in coffee, smoothies, baking, and everything in between.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>1 cup cashew pieces (raw)</li><li>4 cups filtered water</li><li>1/2 tsp <strong>vanilla extract</strong></li><li>Pinch of <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li><li>1 tbsp <strong>TN maple syrup</strong> (optional)</li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Soak the cashew pieces in water for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the creamiest result. Drain and rinse.</li><li>Add the soaked cashews and 4 cups of fresh filtered water to a high-speed blender.</li><li>Blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy. No straining needed.</li><li>Add the vanilla extract, salt, and maple syrup if using. Blend briefly to combine. Refrigerate.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>In a pinch, you can skip soaking if you have a powerful blender. The texture may be slightly less silky.</li><li>This keeps in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Shake well before each use.</li><li>For a richer result, use 3 cups of water instead of 4.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 8
Tare Almanac · Volume SixPeanuts.
03
Chapter 03 of 08

Peanuts.

Not a nut (a legume), but it lives on the snack wall.

In this chapter
Roasted Salted PeanutsArachis hypogaea10
Roasted Peanut Butter StockArachis hypogaea (stone-ground)10
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six9
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Peanuts.Page 10
Legume · The classic snack

Roasted Salted Peanuts

Arachis hypogaea

Roasted and salted peanuts in the shell or shelled. A legume, not a tree nut, but functionally a snack nut. About seven grams of protein per ounce.

What it's for.

Snacking, baseball games, peanut sauce, peanut brittle. Cheap, dense, satisfying. The protein-to-cost ratio is one of the best on the wall.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Chop into stir-fries. Grind into homemade peanut butter (two minutes in a food processor with a pinch of salt).

Good to know.

Peanut allergies are common and can be severe. The shells contain aflatoxin trace amounts; shelled peanuts go through screening but the in-shell version is fine.

Butter · The default

Roasted Peanut Butter Stock

Arachis hypogaea (stone-ground)

Stone-ground roasted peanut butter from the in-store grinder. Bring a jar. No added oil, no added sugar. Smooth, dense, deeply roasted.

What it's for.

Sandwiches, smoothies, sauces, oatmeal. The grinder produces a fresher product than shelf-stable jars; nutty oil separates after a few days, which is normal for natural peanut butter.

How to use it.

Spread on bread, toast, apples, celery. Stir into oatmeal. Whisk into a sauce with soy, lime, ginger, and water for stir-fry or noodles.

Good to know.

Stir well to incorporate the natural oil layer. Refrigerate after the first stir to prevent separation. Peanut allergy applies.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Recipe · Peanuts.Page 11

Thai Peanut Noodles

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>These peanut noodles are the kind of meal you will crave after making them once. The sauce is a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy, and it coats every strand of noodle. Crunchy vegetables add freshness and texture. It comes together in about 20 minutes and is just as good cold the next day.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>8 oz rice noodles or <strong>brown rice spaghetti</strong></li><li>1 large carrot, julienned</li><li>1 bell pepper, sliced thin</li><li>1 cup shredded cabbage</li><li>½ cup edamame (shelled)</li><li>For the sauce: ¼ cup <strong>peanut butter</strong>, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp <strong>Duck River honey</strong>, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp <strong>ground ginger</strong>, 1 clove garlic (minced), 2 tbsp warm water</li><li>Garnish: chopped <strong>roasted salted peanuts</strong>, cilantro, lime wedges</li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.</li><li>Whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth.</li><li>Toss the noodles with the sauce, carrot, bell pepper, cabbage, and edamame.</li><li>Serve topped with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>These noodles are excellent cold, which makes them perfect for meal prep and packed lunches.</li><li>Add crispy baked tofu or edamame for extra protein.</li><li>Swap the <strong>peanut butter</strong> for <strong>almond butter</strong> if needed for allergies.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 11
Tare Almanac · Volume SixTree Nuts.
04
Chapter 04 of 08

Tree Nuts.

Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts. The richer, oilier shelf.

In this chapter
Pecan Halves (raw)Carya illinoinensis13
Raw WalnutsJuglans regia13
Hazelnuts (dry, roasted)Corylus avellana14
Brazil NutsBertholletia excelsa14
Hazelnut Butter With Chocolate ChipsCorylus avellana + dark chocolate15
Roasted Maple Glazed PecansCarya illinoinensis + maple15
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six12
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Tree Nuts.Page 13
Nut · Southern staple

Pecan Halves (raw)

Carya illinoinensis

Raw pecan halves. A Southern American native, butter-rich and slightly sweet. The default baking nut south of the Mason-Dixon.

What it's for.

Pecan pie, granola, salads, candy. About three grams of protein per ounce, plenty of monounsaturated fat. The flavor is buttery and sweet enough that dessert use dominates.

How to use it.

Toast in a dry skillet for ten minutes for snack flavor. Chop into granola, sprinkle on salads, fold into cookie dough. The whole halves are pretty enough to garnish.

Good to know.

Tree-nut allergy applies. Pecans go rancid faster than almonds because of their oil content; store in the fridge or freezer if you do not finish a pound in a month.

Nut · Omega-rich

Raw Walnuts

Juglans regia

Raw walnut halves. The richest source of plant-based omega-3 in the common nut family. Slightly tannic, slightly bitter, deeply nutty.

What it's for.

Salads, banana bread, brain-shaped on a plate (the joke writes itself). About four grams of protein per ounce, the best omega-3 ratio of any common nut.

How to use it.

Toast in a dry skillet for ten minutes; the bitter softens. Chop into salads, brownies, banana bread. Eat raw if the bitter does not bother you.

Good to know.

Tree-nut allergy applies. Walnuts go rancid faster than almonds; refrigerate or freeze if not finished within a month.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Tree Nuts.Page 14
Nut · European classic

Hazelnuts (dry, roasted)

Corylus avellana

Dry-roasted hazelnuts. Crisp, deeply aromatic, the foundational nut for Italian baking (gianduja, Nutella, hazelnut praline).

What it's for.

Baking, chocolate pairings, salads with bitter greens. The roasted version is more intense than raw; about four grams of protein per ounce, plenty of folate.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Skin them by toasting and rubbing in a tea towel (the skins are bitter). Chop into cookies, fold into chocolate, sprinkle over a hot fudge sundae.

Good to know.

Tree-nut allergy applies. Some people are allergic to hazelnuts specifically without being allergic to other tree nuts.

Nut · Selenium concentrate

Brazil Nuts

Bertholletia excelsa

Large, white, crescent-shaped nuts from the Brazilian rainforest. One of the densest food sources of selenium on the planet; one or two a day covers the daily requirement.

What it's for.

Selenium boost, snacking, baking. The selenium content is so concentrated that two or three a day is the upper limit before you risk too much.

How to use it.

Eat one or two as a daily selenium dose. Chop into granola. Grate over salads for richness.

Good to know.

Selenium toxicity is real if you eat them by the handful daily. Two to three per day is the recommended ceiling. Tree-nut allergy applies.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Tree Nuts.Page 15
Butter · Italian-inspired

Hazelnut Butter With Chocolate Chips

Corylus avellana + dark chocolate

Stone-ground hazelnut butter with dark chocolate chips folded through. Less sweet than Nutella; more chocolate-and-nut than chocolate-spread.

What it's for.

Toast, fruit dipping, the after-dinner spoon. Reads as dessert; treat as such.

How to use it.

Spread on toast. Dip apple slices. Stir a spoonful into hot milk of choice for a quick chocolate-hazelnut drink.

Good to know.

Sugar from the chocolate adds up; not a daily-multiple-times spread. Tree-nut allergy.

Nut · Sweet topper

Roasted Maple Glazed Pecans

Carya illinoinensis + maple

Pecans roasted with real maple syrup until the coating crackles. Sweet, sticky-finished, a little smoky from the roast.

What it's for.

Salads, ice cream, snack. The sweetness is bigger than the nut; treat as dessert or salad topper, not snack.

How to use it.

Crumble over a fall salad with apple and blue cheese. Top vanilla ice cream. Chop into a yogurt parfait.

Good to know.

Higher sugar than plain pecans. Tree-nut allergy applies.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Recipe · Tree Nuts.Page 16

Maple Pecan Granola Clusters

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>Homemade granola is better than pre-made in every way, and the secret to getting big clusters is pressing the mixture down tightly before baking and not stirring it too much. This version is loaded with pecans and coconut, sweetened with real maple syrup, and bakes up into satisfying chunks you can snack on by the handful.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>2 cups <strong>rolled oats</strong></li><li>1 cup <strong>pecan halves (raw)</strong>, roughly chopped</li><li>1/2 cup <strong>medium shredded coconut</strong></li><li>1/3 cup <strong>TN maple syrup</strong></li><li>3 tbsp coconut oil, melted</li><li>1/2 tsp <strong>Ceylon cinnamon</strong></li><li>1/4 tsp <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li><li>1 tsp <strong>vanilla extract</strong></li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.</li><li>In a large bowl, toss together the oats, chopped pecans, shredded coconut, and cinnamon.</li><li>In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla, and salt.</li><li>Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir until everything is well coated.</li><li>Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and press it down firmly into an even layer. Do not spread it loosely.</li><li>Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Do not stir during baking.</li><li>Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the pan without touching it. It will crisp up and form clusters as it cools.</li><li>Break into chunks once fully cooled.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>The less you stir and break it up, the bigger the clusters.</li><li>Mix in <strong>dried cranberries (apple juice infused)</strong> or <strong>dark chocolate chips (Enjoy Life)</strong> after baking for add-ins that do not need to go in the oven.</li><li>Store in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 16
Tare Almanac · Volume SixSeeds.
05
Chapter 05 of 08

Seeds.

Pumpkin, sunflower, flax, chia. Omegas, fiber, milled vs. whole.

In this chapter
Pumpkin Seeds (raw)Cucurbita pepo18
Roasted Salted Sunflower SeedsHelianthus annuus18
Flax SeedsLinum usitatissimum19
Whole Black Chia SeedsSalvia hispanica19
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six17
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Seeds.Page 18
Seed · Mineral-rich

Pumpkin Seeds (raw)

Cucurbita pepo

Raw, hulled pumpkin seeds (sometimes called pepitas). Dark green, slightly chewy, dense in magnesium, zinc, and iron.

What it's for.

Snacking, salads, granola, garnish. About seven grams of protein per ounce; one of the densest sources of magnesium in everyday food.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Toast in a dry skillet for crunch; sprinkle salt while still warm. Chop into pesto, granola, or salad. Cold-press into pumpkin seed oil for finishing.

Good to know.

Generally well-tolerated. Less common allergies than tree nuts, but they exist.

Seed · Classic snack

Roasted Salted Sunflower Seeds

Helianthus annuus

Roasted and salted hulled sunflower seeds. Mild, slightly sweet, the most-eaten snack seed in America (mostly in the shell version, but the hulled is more useful in cooking).

What it's for.

Snacking, salads, granola, sunflower butter. About six grams of protein per ounce; high in vitamin E and selenium.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Sprinkle over a salad. Bake into bread for crunch. Process into sunflower butter for nut-free schools.

Good to know.

Allergies exist but are less common than tree nuts; sunflower butter is often the school-safe peanut butter alternative.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Seeds.Page 19
Seed · Omega + fiber

Flax Seeds

Linum usitatissimum

Small brown seeds, slightly nutty, one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 (in the ALA form) and lignans. Generally bought whole and ground at home.

What it's for.

Smoothies, oatmeal, baking, the 'flax egg' (one tablespoon flax meal + three tablespoons water = one egg replacement in baking). The lignans are studied for hormonal balance.

How to use it.

Grind whole seeds in a coffee grinder or blender just before use (whole seeds pass through undigested). Stir a tablespoon into oatmeal, smoothies, or yogurt. Whole flax keeps a year; ground flax keeps a month in the fridge.

Good to know.

Phytoestrogen content is mild; generally well-tolerated. Skip in high doses during pregnancy out of caution.

Seed · Hydration + fiber

Whole Black Chia Seeds

Salvia hispanica

Small black seeds with the strange property of forming a gel when wet (each seed absorbs roughly twelve times its weight in water). Bland on their own; the texture and absorption are what they bring.

What it's for.

Chia pudding, smoothies, hydration drinks, baking. About four grams of protein and ten grams of fiber per ounce. The omega-3 content is high (ALA, like flax).

How to use it.

Stir three tablespoons into a cup of milk of choice with vanilla and honey; let sit overnight in the fridge for chia pudding. Or stir a tablespoon into a glass of water with lemon for a hydration drink. Add to baking for moisture.

Good to know.

Drink plenty of water with dry chia; it expands. People with esophageal narrowing or trouble swallowing should always pre-soak before eating.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Recipe · Seeds.Page 20

Matcha Coconut Chia Pudding

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>If you love the earthy, slightly grassy flavor of matcha, you will love it in chia pudding form. The coconut milk makes it extra rich and creamy, and the color is gorgeous enough to photograph before you eat it. This is a calm, grounding breakfast that gives you steady energy without any crash.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>¼ cup <strong>whole black chia seeds</strong></li><li>1 cup full-fat coconut milk (canned)</li><li>1 tsp <strong>matcha green tea</strong></li><li>1 tbsp <strong>Duck River honey</strong></li><li>½ tsp <strong>vanilla extract</strong></li><li>Pinch of <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li><li>Toppings: <strong>medium shredded coconut</strong>, fresh kiwi, <strong>goji berries</strong></li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Whisk the matcha into the coconut milk until fully dissolved and no clumps remain.</li><li>Add the chia seeds, honey, vanilla, and salt. Stir well.</li><li>Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.</li><li>Stir before serving. Top with shredded coconut, sliced kiwi, and goji berries.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>Use high-quality matcha for the best flavor and brightest green color.</li><li>If the pudding is too thick in the morning, stir in a splash of extra coconut milk.</li><li>Swap the <strong>honey</strong> for <strong>maple syrup</strong> to keep it fully vegan.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 20
Tare Almanac · Volume SixDried Fruit.
06
Chapter 06 of 08

Dried Fruit.

Sun-dried vs. dehydrated, sugar-added vs. not, how to read the bin tag.

In this chapter
Unpitted Medjool DatesPhoenix dactylifera22
Dried ApricotsPrunus armeniaca22
Dried MangoesMangifera indica23
Dried CranberriesVaccinium macrocarpon23
Dried Apple RingsMalus domestica24
Banana ChipsMusa24
Black Mission FigsFicus carica (Mission variety)25
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six21
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Dried Fruit.Page 22
Fruit · Caramel candy

Unpitted Medjool Dates

Phoenix dactylifera

Large, soft, mahogany-brown dates with a single pit inside. The 'king of dates'; deeply caramel, almost honey-like, naturally sweet without any added sugar.

What it's for.

Snacking, baking, sweetener replacement. About sixteen grams of natural sugar per date but also two grams of fiber; the glycemic response is gentler than refined sugar.

How to use it.

Slit one open with a knife, remove the pit, eat as is. Stuff with almond butter and a sprinkle of sea salt. Blend into baking as a refined-sugar replacement (one cup of pitted dates = one cup of brown sugar, with a small adjustment to liquid).

Good to know.

Soft dates are sticky on teeth; rinse afterward to be friendly to enamel. The pit is large and inedible; do not eat dates whole without removing it.

Fruit · Iron + potassium

Dried Apricots

Prunus armeniaca

Pitted, halved, sun-dried or oven-dried apricots. The bright-orange unsulfured version is darker brown (the sulfur is what keeps them looking sunset-colored).

What it's for.

Snacking, granola, salads with cheese, Middle Eastern cooking. About eight grams of fiber per cup, plus iron and potassium. Naturally sweet, slightly tart.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Chop into a grain salad with feta. Soak briefly to plump before baking into bread or muffins. Pair with cheese.

Good to know.

Unsulfured versions are darker but cleaner-ingredient; sulfured versions are brighter but contain added sulfites (worth knowing if you are sulfite-sensitive).

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Dried Fruit.Page 23
Fruit · Tropical chewy

Dried Mangoes

Mangifera indica

Dehydrated mango strips. Soft, chewy, intensely sweet. The unsweetened version is more sour than the sweetened version (which often has sugar added back).

What it's for.

Snacking, granola, trail mix. The unsweetened version is more concentrated mango; the sweetened version is closer to candy. Read the label.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Chop into trail mix. Dice over coconut yogurt with lime zest for a quick tropical dessert.

Good to know.

The sweetened versions can have added sugar that doubles the sugar content per gram. The unsweetened version is real fruit; the sweetened version is closer to candy.

Fruit · Tart with sugar

Dried Cranberries

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Cranberries dried after sweetening (most cranberries are too tart to dry without sugar). The result is somewhere between raisin and dried cherry, deep red, slightly chewy.

What it's for.

Snacking, salads, baking, trail mix. The sugar added back during drying is significant; this is more sweet than tart.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Toss into a fall salad with goat cheese and pecans. Bake into oatmeal cookies as a raisin alternative.

Good to know.

Most dried cranberries are sweetened (often with cane sugar or apple juice). Read the label if added sugar matters. Naturally low in calories per berry but added sugar is meaningful per handful.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Dried Fruit.Page 24
Fruit · Pantry classic

Dried Apple Rings

Malus domestica

Apple slices, cored, sliced into rings, dehydrated until chewy-leathery. The most-eaten dried fruit in many American households for good reason; reads like an apple but lasts months.

What it's for.

Snacking, oatmeal toppers, baking. The dehydration concentrates the natural sugars; one ring has about the sugar of half a fresh apple but easier to carry.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Soak in warm water for fifteen minutes to plump for baking. Chop into oatmeal or granola. Pair with cheddar.

Good to know.

Some commercial versions are sulfured to keep them light-colored; the unsulfured versions are darker but cleaner. Read the bin tag.

Fruit · Crunchy snack

Banana Chips

Musa

Banana slices, fried (most commercial versions) or freeze-dried (less common). Crunchy rather than chewy. Sweet, sometimes coated in sugar or honey.

What it's for.

Snacking, trail mix, granola. The fried versions have added oil and often added sugar; the freeze-dried versions are closer to pure banana.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Toss into a trail mix with peanuts. Crumble over peanut butter toast for crunch.

Good to know.

Fried banana chips carry added oil and added sugar; not the same nutritional profile as a fresh banana. The freeze-dried version is cleaner.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Dried Fruit.Page 25
Fruit · Dense candy

Black Mission Figs

Ficus carica (Mission variety)

Sun-dried Mission figs, deep purple-black on the outside and golden-brown inside. Dense, jammy, with crunchy little seeds.

What it's for.

Snacking, cheese boards, baking, Middle Eastern cooking. A perfect partner for sharp cheese; the salt of the cheese cuts the fig's sweetness.

How to use it.

Eat as is. Stuff with goat cheese and a walnut. Slice over a pizza with prosciutto. Bake into fig bars (the original Newton).

Good to know.

High in natural sugars per fig. The crunchy bits are seeds, not grit; that is normal.

Dried Fruit.
× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume SixRefill what you need
Recipe · Dried Fruit.Page 26

Coconut Date Bars

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>These bars are like a homemade version of a certain famous date bar, but better because you know exactly what is in them. The base is just dates and coconut processed together until sticky and dense, with cacao powder adding a subtle chocolate note. Press them into a pan, chill, and slice. That is the whole recipe.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>1 1/2 cups <strong>unpitted Medjool dates</strong>, pitted (about 15 dates)</li><li>1 cup <strong>medium shredded coconut</strong>, plus extra for topping</li><li>2 tbsp <strong>cacao powder</strong></li><li>1 tbsp coconut oil, melted</li><li>Pinch of <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Pit the dates and add them to a food processor. Pulse until they form a thick, sticky paste.</li><li>Add the shredded coconut, cacao powder, coconut oil, and salt. Process until the mixture is well combined and holds together when pressed.</li><li>Line a small baking dish or loaf pan with parchment paper. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan.</li><li>Sprinkle extra shredded coconut on top and press it gently into the surface.</li><li>Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm, then slice into bars.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>If the dates are dry and hard, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain before processing.</li><li>Add 1/4 cup <strong>California almonds (raw)</strong> to the food processor for a nuttier texture.</li><li>Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They soften quickly at room temperature, so keep them chilled.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 26
Tare Almanac · Volume SixBuild Your Own Trail Mix.
07
Chapter 07 of 08

Build Your Own Trail Mix.

A framework for the bulk-wall mix: ratios, balance, and the dollar math.

✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six27
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Build Your Own Trail Mix.Page 28

Why build instead of buy.

Bagged trail mix at a grocery store runs roughly six to nine dollars a pound. The same ingredients, pulled from bulk bins, average three to four dollars a pound. Across a year of weekday snacking, the difference is real money.

The hidden second reason is quality. Bagged trail mix uses the cheapest grade of each ingredient and balances it out with raisins and candy. A house mix uses the nuts and fruit you actually want at the ratios you actually want.

The four-ratio rule.

A balanced trail mix is one part of each of four categories.

For a one-pound mix, that is 6.4 oz of base nut, 3.2 oz of accent nut, 4 oz of sweet, 2.4 oz of crunch. Adjust to taste; this is a starting point, not a recipe.

The salt-sweet-crunch balance.

The mistake most homemade trail mixes make is going too sweet. The bagged versions are over-engineered for the candy aisle palate. A real house mix should taste like food: nutty first, sweet second, crunchy third.

Three quick patterns that work.

Reference mixes from the wall.

Tare carries three house mixes that show how the ratios play out.

How to actually do it.

The grocery-list approach. Buy a pound of base nut, half a pound each of accent nut and sweet fruit, a third of a pound of crunch. Toss together in a big bowl. Fill three jars: one for the kitchen, one for the office bag, one for the car.

Refill the jars from the kitchen jar; refill the kitchen jar from a bigger storage container. The system survives because the bowl-and-jar separation keeps the kitchen jar from disappearing in a week.

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 28
Tare Almanac · Volume SixStorage & Freshness.
08
Chapter 08 of 08

Storage & Freshness.

Oil-rich nuts go rancid. A short primer so the bulk-bin math pays off at home.

✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Six29
Tare Almanac · Volume Six · Storage & Freshness.Page 30

Why storage matters.

The savings from buying in bulk evaporate if half the bag turns rancid before you finish it. Nuts are mostly fat. Fat oxidizes when exposed to heat, light, and oxygen. The right storage doubles or triples shelf life for the same dollar.

Fridge or freezer.

The general rule for nuts and oils: cool, dark, airtight. Almonds and cashews keep at room temperature for a few months if sealed. Walnuts, pecans, and pine nuts (the high-oil tree nuts) want the fridge after the bag is opened; the freezer if you bought more than you will use in two months.

The smell test.

Rancid nuts smell like old crayons or putty. The taste is sharp and slightly bitter, lingering in the back of the throat. Fresh nuts smell like the nut: sweet, slightly oily, faintly toasty if roasted.

If you are not sure, eat one and pay attention. The nose and tongue catch rancidity before any test does.

Dried fruit and seeds.

Dried fruit lasts longer than nuts because the sugar acts as a preservative. Most dried fruit holds for six months in a cool dark cupboard; longer in the fridge. The exception is anything with added moisture (Medjool dates, fresh-style dried apricots), which want the fridge after a month.

Seeds vary. Flax and chia keep whole almost indefinitely; ground flax loses its oils in about a month. Grind small batches; refrigerate what you grind.

Container sizing.

A practical rule. Buy what you will use in a month at room temperature, three months in the fridge, a year in the freezer. Bulk shopping wins on per-pound price; right-sizing wins on actual consumption.

For a two-person household, that usually means one pound bags of nuts and seeds, half-pound bags of dried fruit, and one or two big quart jars on the pantry shelf at a time. Buy fresh, store correctly, refill what gets used.

Tare Almanac · Volume SixPage 30
Back MatterLatin Index
Botanical & Source Names

Latin to common.

For when you are checking sourcing or further reading.

Latin nameCommon name
Anacardium occidentaleRoasted & Salted Whole Cashews
Anacardium occidentale (Cajun seasoned)Cajun Cashews
Anacardium occidentale (cinnamon-sugar)Churro Cashews
Anacardium occidentale (curry blend)Organic Roasted Curry Cashews
Anacardium occidentale (everything seasoning)Roasted Everything Bagel Cashews
Anacardium occidentale (Italian seasoned)Pizza Cashews
Arachis hypogaeaRoasted Salted Peanuts
Arachis hypogaea (stone-ground)Roasted Peanut Butter Stock
Bertholletia excelsaBrazil Nuts
Carya illinoinensisPecan Halves (raw)
Carya illinoinensis + mapleRoasted Maple Glazed Pecans
Corylus avellanaHazelnuts (dry, roasted)
Corylus avellana + dark chocolateHazelnut Butter With Chocolate Chips
Cucurbita pepoPumpkin Seeds (raw)
Ficus carica (Mission variety)Black Mission Figs
Helianthus annuusRoasted Salted Sunflower Seeds
Juglans regiaRaw Walnuts
Linum usitatissimumFlax Seeds
Malus domesticaDried Apple Rings
Mangifera indicaDried Mangoes
Tare Almanac · Volume SixLatin Index
Back MatterLatin Index (cont.)
Latin nameCommon name
MusaBanana Chips
Phoenix dactyliferaUnpitted Medjool Dates
Prunus armeniacaDried Apricots
Prunus dulcisRaw California Almonds
Prunus dulcis (stone-ground)Roasted Almond Butter Stock
Salvia hispanicaWhole Black Chia Seeds
Vaccinium macrocarponDried Cranberries
Tare Almanac · Volume SixLatin Index (cont.)
Tare Almanac · Volume Six

Nuts, Seeds
& Dried Fruit

Twenty-seven snacks, butters, and dried fruits from the wall at Tare, with a trail-mix system and a short storage primer to close.

Tare Almanac · Volume Six
tarebulkfoods.com

· · ·