A pound of almonds, closest to the heart.

August 2, 2010 11:10 AM

Where in Montreal can I get a pound of ground almonds easily?

I live in the down town, and promised to make marzipan for someone's birthday on the 4th, but the local provigo only sells ground almonds in tiny bags. I'm looking for what I believe is called an 'En vrac', and I'd rather not shlep out to the bulk barn on the West Island.

posted by Phalene to food & drink (11 answers total)

Can you just get a pound of raw almonds and grind them yourself in a food processor?
posted by Night_owl at 11:27 AM on August 2, 2010

Does the Provigo have a selection of Bob's Red Mill? If so, they may carry the Almond Flour/Meal, which comes in 1LB bags. Check out their Store Locator and see if the stores carry it.
posted by urbanlenny at 11:29 AM on August 2, 2010

I don't have a food processor, nor do I have a pound of blanched almonds to grind.

According to their store locator, Provigo carries almond meal, so I hope it's the right state to work with!
posted by Phalene at 11:39 AM on August 2, 2010

You want the bulk store located on a side street (Place du Marche du Nord) just outside the Jean-Talon market. The name escapes me, but you can buy ground almonds/almond flour there -- my wife did a few months ago to take a shot at making some macarons.

It's literally next door to the Marché des Saveurs du Québec, which is a pretty kick-ass store in its own right.
posted by Shepherd at 11:44 AM on August 2, 2010

I called provigo- No, they don't carry it, despite the store locator. I can't tell if this is their lousy service or they really don't have it.
posted by Phalene at 11:44 AM on August 2, 2010

I have had good luck at the weird grocery store in the Cavendish mall -- they have all sorts of stuff in the kosher beans & spices section (don't go to the other spices or beans sections, just the kosher one). I have not recently bought ground almonds, but in the past I have bought reasonably priced large quantities of it there. It's near a bunch of bus routes. It's less convenient than Jean-Talon market, though.
posted by jeather at 12:04 PM on August 2, 2010

If you're anywhere near the Faubourg Ste-Catherine (Guy/Ste Catherine), there is a pretty good bulk shop there. As you face the Faubourg, far right-hand entrance and then go straight to the back.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 12:52 PM on August 2, 2010

Yes, seconding the store in Faubourg - I think they would definitely have what you were after.

I suggested it in this thread, which also might have a few options for you
http://ask.metafilter.com/144362/Baking-and-bulk-supplies-in-Montreal
posted by unlaced at 12:59 PM on August 2, 2010

Shepherd is talking about Merci Vrac in Jean-Talon Market. I can't say that I've seen almond meal there, but you can call and ask (amandes moulues, in French, I think).
posted by zadcat at 1:29 PM on August 2, 2010

Try giving Bioterre a call - they sell a number of bulk items.
posted by googly at 1:38 PM on August 2, 2010

Too late for the birthday, but as reference for next time: there's a small bulk/organic store called Le Frigo Vert at Mackay and Sherbrooke which has a decent selection. It's run by Concordia students and is low/non-profit.
posted by Anali at 3:22 PM on September 5, 2010