Nuts have been part of a British Christmas for generations. A bowl on the side table, a handful in the stuffing, a few walnuts cracked by the fire. Our Organic Christmas Nuts Box brings six favourites together in one gift: plenty for the festive season, and plenty left over for the new year.
This is what's inside, who it suits, and some of our favourite ways to use it.
What's in the box
The box holds six varieties of organic nuts, with 250g of each, so 1.5kg in total. Each one comes in its own resealable, fully recyclable pouch, so you can open one at a time and keep the rest fresh.
Cashews. Creamy, mild and slightly sweet. The nut almost everyone likes, and the one that tends to disappear first.
Almonds. Crisp and versatile. Good for snacking, and the backbone of a lot of Christmas baking.
Walnuts. Rich, with a gentle bitterness that works well with cheese, fruit and dark chocolate.
Hazelnuts. Sweet and toasty, especially once they've been warmed in the oven. A natural partner for chocolate.
Macadamias. Buttery, rich and the most indulgent of the six. A real treat at this time of year.
Brazil nuts. Large, creamy and satisfying, with a flavour all of their own.
Who it's for
Anyone who enjoys good food. It's a generous, practical present that will actually get eaten.
Keen bakers. Six varieties in one box covers most festive recipes, from stollen and Christmas cake to biscotti and brittle.
Families and households. It's a box to share, put on the table and dip into over the holidays.
Vegan and vegetarian friends. The box is suitable for both, and makes an easy gift for someone who eats a plant-based diet.
It's not a suitable gift for anyone with a nut allergy. The box also carries a may-contain warning for peanuts, sesame, cereals containing gluten and soya.
Ways to enjoy it over Christmas
Warm spiced nuts
Few things make a house smell more like Christmas. Mix a few handfuls of nuts from the box with a little melted coconut oil, a spoonful of coconut sugar, a pinch of salt and some warming spices such as cinnamon, smoked paprika or a little cayenne. Roast in a moderate oven, stirring often, until golden and fragrant, then leave to cool before serving.
A festive cheeseboard
Walnuts and almonds are made for cheese. Scatter a few over a board with a strong cheddar, a creamy blue and some sliced apple or pear. Add a few Brazil nuts and macadamias for something a bit more unusual.
Christmas baking
Use the almonds and hazelnuts in biscotti, florentines and nut brittle, and the walnuts in a classic coffee and walnut cake. Chopped macadamias are lovely in white chocolate cookies.
A centrepiece nut roast
If you're cooking for vegetarians or vegans on Christmas Day, a nut roast is the traditional choice. Cashews, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts all work well, chopped and bound with vegetables, herbs and breadcrumbs or cooked lentils.
Homemade gifts
Turn part of the box into presents of your own. Spiced nuts packed into jars, chocolate-dipped almonds or a batch of brittle make thoughtful little gifts for neighbours, teachers and hosts.
Simple snacking
Sometimes the best way to enjoy good nuts is just as they are. Put out a bowl when friends come round, and you'll find it's one of the first things to empty.
Keeping nuts fresh
Store the pouches in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat and damp. Once a pouch is open, reseal it firmly after each use. Nuts are naturally rich in oils, so keeping them sealed and out of the warm helps them stay fresh for longer.
Why organic?
Every nut in the box is certified organic, grown to standards that strictly limit the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. For many people, that's an important part of choosing food to give as a gift: you know exactly what you're handing over.
A gift that keeps going
Unlike a box of chocolates, a box of good nuts lasts well beyond Christmas Day. It sees you through the festive baking, the Boxing Day leftovers and the first few weeks of the new year.
If you find a favourite, you can always top up with a larger bag: try our Organic Cashew Nuts, Organic Almonds, Organic Hazelnuts, Organic Macadamia Nuts, Organic Brazil Nuts or Organic Walnuts.
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