TMTM

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

Bright Like Blue Diamond

It’s a lot better to grab a handful of almonds in a time of snacking need than it is to grab a candy bar. We all know this. That doesn’t make the decision to do so any easier, so how do you dress those boring little rocks up in a way that makes them edible? Blue Diamond Almonds are on top of it, slinging more flavors than we know what to do with. Thanks to this handy variety pack, I was able to try 12 of them; here’s how they stack up.


Prices and availability are subject to change.


Related: 25 'Superfoods' That Aren't as Super as You Think

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

Best: Wasabi & Soy Sauce

$10.92 from Amazon

Shop Now


Love. These. If you left a bunch of almonds soaking in wasabi and soy sauce all night, but they managed to retain their crunch, I imagine this is what they would taste like. The wasabi flavor is in full force, but the sting of the horseradish isn’t overpowering at all. I imagine people of all spice tolerances could make a dent in a bag of these things. At this point, I can’t imagine snacking on any other type of almond. My two thumbs are emphatically up.


Related: Addictive Costco Snacks You'll Be Happy You Bought in Bulk

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

2. Habanero BBQ

$9.33 from Amazon

Shop Now


I assume nobody will be surprised to learn I was a huge Corn Nuts fan. The seasoning on these Habanero BBQ almonds — which are, once again, barely spicy — reminds me a whole lot of Corn Nuts. I love the BBQ flavor here, and though I wish they had more of a kick, I like ‘em very much.


For more great taste tests, please sign up for our free newsletters.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

3. Smokehouse

$6.98 from Amazon

Shop Now


Mmmm. This is a nice, smoky, barbecue experience. I honestly wouldn’t hate to eat a few of these alongside a beautiful piece of brisket and some mac and cheese. Better yet, crush some up and bake them on top of your mac. You could pop these onto the tables at a brewery for a nice beer snack, too.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

4. Salt 'n Vinegar

$9.33 from Amazon

Shop Now


I suspect this varies from bag to bag, but I’d love a little more salt and a little less vinegar. Otherwise, this is pretty solid and I’d even consider grabbing this if I saw it staring me in the face at 7-Eleven.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

5. Spicy Dill Pickle

$10.80 from Amazon

Shop Now


I don’t often dive down the pickle-flavored rabbit hole, but I like these. There’s definitely a little bit of heat in this seasoning, and though the briny pickle aroma is a little jarring at first, it grows on you pretty quickly. I’m into it.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

6. Sriracha

$3.14 from Amazon

Shop Now


Here’s the thing about an almond. It’s not sticky or covered in olive oil, so it’s hard to get powder to adhere to it. For the most part, these seasonings just slide right off, leaving your fingers a Hot Cheeto-style mess. I just wish these Sriracha almonds were Hot Cheeto-style spicy. Crank up the heat, Blue Diamond. How is the pickle flavor spicier than Sriracha?

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

7. Sweet Thai Chili

$10.80 from Amazon

Shop Now


I feel once again robbed of flavor. Even after coating these almonds in as much powder as I could, it was hard to extract anything. I love Thai sweet chili sauce. I wish these tasted like that.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

8. Roasted Salted

$8.78 from Amazon

Shop Now


I think it’s going to be hard for any “unflavored” almond to top these little nuggets right here. The Roasted Salted almonds are crunchy, full of roasty flavor, and not overly salty. If you’re craving a classic almond, look no further. This is your champion.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

9. Lightly Salted

$11.63 from Amazon

Shop Now


Though these are a step up from the Whole Naturals, I’m still not floored. If you want a low-sodium, semi-healthy snack, this’ll do. I see the utility here, but I’m probably not reaching for it.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

10. Blueberry

$15.20 from Amazon

Shop Now


I don’t have a clue what’s going on here. Are these for dessert? Are these part of a charcuterie board? Trail mix? Maybe trail mix. They’re purple, which is generally a no-go for me in terms of things that I eat, and sort of taste like a yogurt-covered almond drenched in artificial blueberry flavoring. I don’t despise these as much as I thought I might, but there’s no way on this green Earth that I’d eat these again.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

11. Toasted Coconut

$8.19 from Amazon

Shop Now


I’m not wild about coconuts. The only reason these aren’t in last place is that those Whole Naturals are so awful. That said, if you like coconut, these are probably for you, because they taste very much like real coconut.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

12. Whole Natural

$9.77 from Amazon

Shop Now


I’m serious: Who is this for? A single Whole Natural has gotta be the most dry, bland, lifeless thing you can eat. They’re not even crunchy. I’ll be picking these little bits out of my teeth for weeks.