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Do you know differents common types of nuts (noix) we eat in France? - Here are a few of them:
Les noix de cajou
Les pistaches
Les amandes
Les noisettes
Les noix de pécan
Obviously, we are not talking about nuts and bolts 🙂
There are many nuts-based recipes to do...
...if you read this article until the end you'll IMPRESS your friends and family with your knowledge about 'nuts in French'!
You don't know much? Don't worry.
Nuts (noix) are very good for your health, and you'll be able to choose the right ones to make the recipes you want! Don't forget to watch the 2 videos to go further in your practice.
I'm Thomas, I teach French through +100 articles I put on this blog.
Do you have a nut allergy? If you have a nut allergy, you can’t eat them.
Let food be thy medecine, thy medecine shall be thy food.
Hippocrates
Understanding the basics of 'noix' in French cuisine
The different types of nuts consumed in France
Here are the different types of nuts consumed in France:
Les noix de Grenble (Isère)
They are often used in salads, cheeses, pastries and main courses.
Les amandes de Provence (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur)
They are used in savory dishes such as tapenade, or in desserts such as chocolate and almond tart.
Les noisettes du Piémont (Auvergne et Rhône-Alpes)
They are used for confectionery, pastries and chocolates.
Les châtaignes d’Ardèche (Auvergne et Rhône-Alpes)
They are used to prepare chestnut purée, sweet and savory dishes, and marrons glacés.
Les avelines de la Drôme (Auvergne et Rhône-Alpes)
They are used for desserts, confectionery and bakery products.
Les noix du Périgord (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
They are used in salads, pies, terrines and desserts.
Les pistaches de Provence (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur)
They are used as aperitifs, appetizers, in pastries, confectionery and savory dishes.
Health benefits and nutritional value of nuts
Here's how they can positively influence health and weight management:
Health benefits
Rich in unsaturated fatty acids
This is particularly true of omega-3s. These fatty acids promote heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Antioxidants
They are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which protect cells against free radicals. This helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other age-related problems.
Reduced inflammation
Certain compounds can help reduce inflammation.
Controlling blood pressure
Almonds, for example, are naturally rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Regular consumption can help maintain normal blood pressure.
Weight management
Saturation and appetite control
They are rich in fiber, protein and healthy fats, which help to increase the feeling of satiety. This can help control appetite and reduce snacking between meals.
Hormonal balance
The healthy fats found in nuts, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, play a role in hormonal balance. This can have a positive influence on weight management, especially for women.
Blood sugar management
The combination of protein, fiber and healthy fats in nuts can help stabilize blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for weight management, especially for people with type 2 diabetes.
Increased metabolism
Certain nutrients found in nuts promote a healthy metabolism, which is beneficial for long-term weight management.
A reminder If you have a nut allergy, avoid eating them.
Nuts in French desserts and pastries
Iconic French treats featuring nuts
You can add a piece of fruit or two fruits to your slice of tart, it's very tasty.
Here are two of the French culinary delights made with nuts:
The recipe for walnut tart
Ingredients for la tarte aux noix (in French words)
For the pastry
250g of flour
125g of butter (cold, cut into small pieces)
a pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons of cold water
For the filling
200g of nuts (preferably nuts from Grenoble)
150g of brown sugar
100g of maple syrup
3 eggs
100g of fresh cream
1 tablespoon of flour
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
The recipe for chocolate praline
Ingredients for le praliné au chocolat (in French words)
200g of hazelnuts
150g of sugar
150g of high-quality dark chocolate (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
Baking with nuts: tips and techniques
Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews and pistachios can add a special flavor and texture to your preparations. Here are some tips and techniques for making the most of these ingredients:
Combining nuts with a fresh fruit or several fruits
Usually apples, pears, bananas and strawberries.
Combining them with chocolate
For example, use chocolate chips in nut cookies, or coat almonds in dark chocolate.
With baked goods
Nuts can be incorporated into a variety of pastries, pies, cakes and cookies. For example, they can be chopped and added to pastry.
Put them in savoury dishes
Nuts can also be used in savoury dishes. Slivered almonds, for example, add a crunchy touch to salads, while cashews can be incorporated into légumes sautés dishes or curries.
If you really like this type of food, have a look at the article: vegetarian in French.
Watch the videos to find out how to make the 2 recipes in this section, at home!
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Write (in French) your own based-nuts recipe in the comments, or find another one which is not in the article, to share with others.
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Incorporating nuts into savory French dishes
Nut-based sauces and condiments
Here are a few ideas for sauces made with nuts:
La vinaigrette aux noix
A good choice for salads. To make a nut vinaigrette, simply mix nut (such as walnuts or cashews) with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. You can also add honey.
Les sauces crémeuses aux noix (Creamy nut sauces)
For creamy sauces that go very well with pasta or vegetables. Soak walnuts in water to soften them, then blend with ingredients such as garlic, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese.
Nut sauces for hot dishes
Nuts can be incorporated into hot sauces to accompany dishes such as pasta, rice or grilled vegetables. An example of a delicious sauce: a nut sauce with roasted garlic, vegetable stock and Parmesan cheese.
Cheese and nuts: a classic French pairing
Here are some recipes for cheese dishes with nut:
Le fromage de chèvre aux noix caramélisées (Goat’s cheese with caramelized nut)
Ingredients
Fresh goat’s cheese, nut (almonds or walnuts), sugar and honey.
Preparation
Lightly toast the nuts in a frying pan, then add sugar to caramelize them. Place the fresh goat’s cheese on a plate and add the caramelized walnuts. Drizzle with honey.
La tarte au bleu et aux noix (Blue cheese and walnut tart)
Ingredients
Puff pastry, blue cheese (Roquefort, Gorgonzola), crushed nut, eggs and crème fraîche.
Preparation
Place puff pastry in a tart tin, add crumbled blue cheese and chopped nut. Beat the eggs with the crème fraîche, pour the mixture over the cheese and nut, then bake until the tart is golden brown.
La salade au fromage de chèvre et aux noix (Goat’s cheese and walnut salad)
Ingredients
Green salad, fresh goat’s cheese, walnuts (hazelnuts or cashews), mustard vinaigrette.
Preparation
Place the salad in a dish, add pieces of goat’s cheese and walnuts. Dress with mustard vinaigrette.
Le camembert rôti aux noix et au miel (Roast Camembert with walnuts and honey)
Ingredients
Green salad, fresh goat’s cheese, walnuts (hazelnuts or cashews), mustard vinaigrette.
Preparation
Cut off the top of the Camembert, place pieces of walnut inside, and drizzle honey over them. Roast in the oven until the camembert melts. Eat with pieces of toasted bread.
I give you here my best choice. This is not the famous one but it’s really good and you’ll remember it for all your life. And you’ll probably want to cook it back home 🙂
The cultural significance of nuts in French society
Nuts in French folklore
Here are two aspects of the presence of walnuts in French folklore:
Walnuts are a symbol of wisdom and knowledge
The hard shell of the walnut represents the protection of inner knowledge. It is said that eating walnuts can improve memory and stimulate intelligence. This reinforces the idea that nuts nourish both body and mind.
Walnuts in regional tales
Walnuts are often used to solve problems or puzzles. Sometimes they are a magical key or mysterious object, conferring powers on the story’s protagonists.
Contemporary consumption and trends
Contemporary consumption of nut milks and butters (almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, almond and nut butter) has been growing significantly for a number of years.
Here are some aspects of this growing trend:
Trend towards dairy alternatives
As an alternative to cow’s milk (these are vegan milks), they contain few calories and have a rich nutritional profile. Vegan milks are consumed by people allergic to cow’s milk, for environmental reasons and to vary their diet.
Variety of nut milk
There’s plenty of choice in nut milks, with a wide selection of flavors and nutritional content. The most widely consumed are almond and coconut milks.
Thomas Ricomard specializes in teaching French as a foreign language. He has been providing private lessons since 2015, both in-person and online (via Skype). He taught at the Popular University of the Canton of Geneva (Switzerland) from 2015 to 2018, instructing several groups of 20 students from around the world (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mexico, etc.), ranging from beginner to intermediate levels (A1 to B2). With a Master’s degree in clinical and cognitive psychology from the University of Geneva, his knowledge of psychology allows him to tailor his teaching methods for optimal learning, taking into account factors such as visual memory versus auditory memory. He expresses his passion for the French language through writing texts, including poetry and songs, which he presents publicly at numerous music and slam events.