The Nut Blog

Three Reasons to Choose Organic Almond Butter

Woman with spoon in mouth

I love organic almond butter because I care about the environment and I care about my family’s health. At Maisie Jane’s we have a strong philosophy regarding sustainable agriculture.  That means we farm without depleting the earth’s resources or polluting the environment. But we also deeply care about family—we’re family farmers, after all— and our […]

Posted on August 27th, 2019

How to Save Dinner with Almond Butter

Vegetables and noodles with almond sauce

A few nights ago I wanted something healthy but was feeling too lazy (and hungry!) to go grocery shopping. I found some chicken in the freezer and a few not-very-inspiring vegetables in the crisper. It would be healthy, I guess, but BORING! Not enough variety in the veggies and not enough flavor to suit my […]

Posted on August 22nd, 2019

Should You Buy Crunchy or Smooth Almond Butter?

Maisie Jane's Nut Butters

What do you like best? Crunchy almond butter or smooth? I’ll admit that I have gone through phases with this. As a child you couldn’t get me to eat anything but smooth nut butter but my dad preferred the crunchy stuff. Maybe that’s why when I became an adult I was convinced that adults eat […]

Posted on August 20th, 2019

Happy National Honey Bee Day!

Bee on Almond flowers

National Honey Bee Day is Saturday, August 17. The USDA designated the third Saturday in August an official “awareness” day about 10 years ago to recognize the importance of our bees and the beekeepers who tend them. What’s the buzz all about? Well, did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these […]

Posted on August 15th, 2019

Chile Honey Almond Chicken Kebabs

Almond Chicken Kebabs

Here’s a grown-up version of a dinner treat I loved as a kid: chicken fingers on a stick! How fun is that? It’s the perfect dinner idea for summer if you ask me. But this version is made with a crushed almond and breadcrumb coating and served with a spicy but sweet dipping sauce so […]

Posted on August 13th, 2019

Home in the Almond Grove

Hurtado Family

I came across a country rock song I never heard before recently by a band named Cracker that maybe some of you might know. Cracker was formed by singer-songwriter David Lowery (of Camper Van Beethoven fame) and guitarist Johnny Hickman. On their most recent album, “Berkeley to Bakersfield,” is a bittersweet song called “The Almond […]

Posted on August 8th, 2019

Fun Facts About the Pistachio

Pistachios

Fact #1: Pistachios are associated with happiness! The pistachio is known as the “happy nut” in China and the “smiling nut” in Iran because if you look at the nut in its shell it looks like it is smiling. The nuts are often given as a gift during the Chinese New Year because they symbolize […]

Posted on August 6th, 2019

Chocolate Almond Popcorn Squares

Chocolate Almond Popcorn Squares

When I was a kid I LOVED Rice Crispies Squares! “Can we make some, mom? Can we make some?” I’m sure I drove her crazy. Today as an adult, of course, this is not the slightest bit interesting. However, what about the same idea (sort of) made with popcorn, almond butter, chopped dried apricots, and […]

Posted on July 31st, 2019

One Pound Bags of Chocolate Nuts and Fruit

One Pound Bags of Chocolate Nuts and fruit

Did you know that Maisie Jane’s chocolate nuts and fruits are available in ONE POUND BAGS? It’s true! Why skimp on greatness?!! Buy enough to always have your favorites on hand. You’ll save money per ounce and please the whole family. And there are so many wonderful choices to choose from. Here are my very […]

Posted on July 29th, 2019

When Almond Hulls Split

Almond Hull split

We’re seeing our first hull splits! That means harvest time is on its way! Really? Well, not right away, but splits in July indicate a phase in the lifetime of the almond that lets us know that things are proceeding at a good pace. After almond bloom season in February and March, almond fruits start […]

Posted on July 25th, 2019