Where to Find In-Flight Almonds (Besides In-Flight)?

September 25, 2013 8:13 AM

I lubs lubs lubs almonds. I'm looking for a brand or line of almonds which best approximate in-flight almonds (if in-flight almonds still exist). Smoky, salted, but with that extra bit of zip somehow, without being all gunky.

Ideally, they would be the brand which was, or maybe still is, served on KLM flights, but I've had other excellent in-flight almonds on other carriers as well (JetBlue?). Are in-flight almonds A Thing? Am I totally nuts for thinking they are? Yes, they're smoked and salted, but there's something else to them, somehow. Black Diamond comes close, but isn't exactly there -- or is it?

I am looking for help with either or both of the following:
a) What brand to look for, which best approximates in-flight almonds, or
b) Where to buy that brand?

I am in Canada, but have occasional access to U.S. supermarkets. For in-flight almonds, I will make this happen.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance, my almond-habit enablers!

posted by Capt. Renault to Food & Drink (10 answers total)

Best answer: I think you mean Blue Diamond Almonds? I remember those being the Smokehouse flavor I used to get on flights. Looks like they're available from Amazon.
posted by goggie at 8:27 AM on September 25, 2013 [3 favorites]

Blue Diamond Smokehouse, aww yeah!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:30 AM on September 25, 2013 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: You're right -- it's Blue Diamond, not Black Diamond. Black Diamond is cheese.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:31 AM on September 25, 2013

Not sure where you are in Canada, but I've gotten Blue Diamond Smokehouse almonds at Walmart and SuperStore in Ontario.
posted by heavenstobetsy at 8:40 AM on September 25, 2013

Blue Diamond Smokehouse

Or, try the ones with wasabi & soy. Great for a stuffy nose!
posted by John Borrowman at 8:42 AM on September 25, 2013

Best answer: Yep, def the blue diamond. ..but, keep in mind that Everything tastes a little different at altitude due to the pressure difference.
Also, if you're an almond fan and there's a Trader Joes anywhere near you...go there...so many flavors... :9
posted by sexyrobot at 9:36 AM on September 25, 2013

Nthing Blue Diamond Smokehouse, London Drugs carries them.
posted by Snazzy67 at 9:42 AM on September 25, 2013

The term is "Smoked Almonds" - they're available from most of the big-name nut packagers (Blue Diamond calls theirs "Smokehouse") as well as supermarket generic brands.

Alternatively, you can buy some high-quality California raw almonds in bulk, and smoke them yourself.
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:01 AM on September 25, 2013

Best answer: The smoked almonds that Bulk Barn sells aren't covered in gunk either and are pretty fantastic.
posted by glip at 10:42 AM on September 25, 2013

I've never been served almonds on a flight; it's usually those pretzels that look like little windowpanes. Except on British Airways, which was an endless parade of biscuits and ice creams and candy and all kinds of stuff, but no almonds.

Blue Diamond is the gold standard, but I think Planters are OK, too.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:31 PM on September 26, 2013