**Market Insights:**
– Japan ranks mixed nuts as the second most popular table nuts, following sweet chestnuts.
– In the U.S., mixed nuts are second only to peanuts in popularity.
– Argentina imported $1.9 million worth of mixed nuts in 1997, with half from the U.S.
– U.S. companies sold $783 million of mixed nuts in 2002, mostly in canned form.
– Mixed nuts contain nuts from various countries worldwide.
**Composition and Ingredients:**
– Peanuts are a major ingredient in mixed nuts due to their cost-effectiveness.
– Alrifai brand in the Middle East refers to expensive nuts as kernels.
– Deluxe mixed nuts were recalled in 2006 for containing peanuts, a common allergen.
– Some mixed nut brands advertise containing less than 50% peanuts.
– Cashews are usually the next least expensive nut after peanuts.
**Processing Methods:**
– Nuts can be processed via dry roasting or oil frying methods.
– Dry roasting involves indirect heat and constant stirring.
– Oil frying requires nuts to be immersed in preheated oil.
– Various oil roasting methods exist, recommended by studies.
– Both processing methods have varying impacts on the nuts.
**Regulations and Standards:**
– The U.S. FDA has regulated mixed nuts since 1977.
– The standard requires at least four different nut varieties or peanuts in mixed nuts.
– Container volume must be at least 85% filled.
– Labels must specify if peanuts are unblanched or of the Spanish variety.
– Weight percentages of nut ingredients are strictly regulated.
**Analogies, Recalls, and Legislation:**
– The Brazil nut effect refers to larger nuts rising to the top in a shaken container of mixed nuts.
– The term ‘mixed nuts’ is used beyond nuts to indicate a mixture of diverse elements.
– The film ‘Mixed Nuts’ plays on the phrase to denote a mix of characters and events.
– John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc. issued a recall due to undeclared peanuts in Fisher Mixed Nuts.
– H. R. 452 aimed to amend provisions of the agricultural adjustment act related to marketing agreements and orders.
Mixed nuts are a snack food consisting of any mixture of mechanically or manually combined nuts. Common constituents are peanuts (actually a legume), almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts (filberts), and pecans. Mixed nuts may be salted, roasted, cooked, or blanched.
In addition to being eaten directly, mixed nuts can be used in cooking, such as for Tunisian farka, tarts, and toffee. Trail mix consists of nuts mixed with raisins and other dry ingredients.