A key ingredient in many dishes. An essential for Christmas baking, whether its Christmas cake or Christmas pudding. Crucial for milder Indian food, almond flakes can be gently toasted and added to cooking and provide a delicious delicate nutty flavour and texture. Almonds contain protein and the amino acid tryptophan – which is a proven mood booster. A recent US study has also found that a handful of almonds can work to suppress your appetite.