Cashew Butter vs. Almond Butter - What's the difference?

When it comes to choosing the type of butter you want to use in your cooking, there are a ton of different options. It can be challenging to make a decision unless you know a little about each type of butter out there.

Sometimes you choose a butter for its flavor, while other times you choose it for the nutritional aspect.

The thing is, with each type of butter, the flavors and texture, and even the nutritional aspect, can vary quite a bit. And, of course, you also have to take into account your personal preferences.

What is the difference between cashew and almond butter? These types of butter are quite similar in that they are both plant-based and come from a nut plant. However, cashew butter tends to have a more intensely nutty flavor, while almond butter is sweeter but more neutral in its nuttiness.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through a comprehensive discussion of cashew butter vs. almond butter.

We’ll talk about their basic differences, like flavors and textures, so you know exactly what to expect from each one. We’ll also briefly touch on nutritional information.

Read on to learn more about the differences between cashew and almond butter.

cashew butter

Cashew butter is made strictly from cashews, as the name suggests. It’s not always as easy to find as other nut butters, but it’s not extremely rare either.

The cashews used are roasted over a fire and then ground into a fine powder which is combined with other ingredients to make it into a butter. 

Cashew butter is similar to peanut butter, except that it uses cashews. It’s not like your everyday yellow butter, so be aware of that difference.

Cashews have plenty of their own natural oils, so you don’t have to add much to create the creaminess that makes it buttery. It’s those natural oils that really do it.

Taste

Cashew butter tastes very nutty, but it’s not overly sweet. It is rich and warm with a nutty flavor. It stands out a little more than the almond butter flavor because cashews are naturally saltier.

What really stands out about the flavor of cashew butter is that it is quite rich. A little bit of it will go a long way in satisfying the nutty cravings and sweet tooth you might be trying to avoid.

One interesting thing about cashew butter is that it can be sold raw and eaten raw. This is a difference between almonds and cashews. However, you will find that most cashew butters use roasted cashews for flavor.

If you’re concerned about additives, be sure to check the label.  Cashew butter doesn’t really need any additional flavor, as it’s naturally rich and nutty, but some brands add sugar or even salt, which really aren’t necessary.

Especially keep an eye on the salt, because they already have a fairly high sodium content.

Texture

The texture of cashew butter is going to be comparable to most other nut butters. You’ll see it’s not like JIF peanut butter, so don’t compare it to it.

It will have some natural texture from the ground nuts, but in reality it will be mostly creamy. 

Cashew and almond butter are different even in their texture, as cashew butter is not as gritty as almond butter.

It’s not very oily once mixed and will look a lot like your typical creamy peanut butter, but it won’t be as thick.

Nutrition

When comparing cashew butter to almond butter, there are five things that stand out.

• Cashew butter has more protein
• Cashew butter has almost twice the iron
• Cashew butter is high in sodium
• Cashew butter has fewer calories
• Cashew butter has lower overall fat content

almond butter

Now let’s look at almond butter. As with most nut butters out there, the name says a lot. Almond butter is made from almonds.

Those almonds are first cooked and then crushed. Almonds are naturally harder than cashews, so they are a bit more difficult to grind really well.

Almonds also have many of their own natural oils, so no oil additives are needed to create almond butter. Crushed almonds and natural oils are blended to create a delicious form of nut butter.

Almond butter is usually easy to find. While some nut butters are hard to come by, you’ll rarely have that problem with almond butter. And chances are you even have several options to choose from.

We want to point out that almonds also have to be cooked before being turned into butter. This is not necessarily necessary for cashews.

Almond butter can also be quite expensive, because it takes quite a bit of work to harvest the almonds and produce the butter.

Taste

The taste is something in which you will notice the difference. Almond butter will have a clear nutty almond flavor and will be rich, but probably not as rich as cashew butter.

It’s slightly sweet without being overwhelmingly sweet. 

The flavors are quite different from each other, but both have that underlying nutty flavor. While cashew butter is rich, almond butter is sweet and smooth . This is all due to the flavor of the nut that is used to create the butter.

Just like with cashew butter, a little is usually enough. You shouldn’t need a ton of almond butter, but it’s a better option than regular peanut butter if nutrition is one of your concerns.

Lastly, some manufacturers add salt or sugar to their almond butter. It’s not really necessary for good flavor, so it’s something to keep in mind.

Texture

As for the texture, you may notice a slight difference. Almond butter is more comparable to crunchy peanut butter, but it’s not quite as creamy either. Almond butter tends to have some texture coming from the almonds.

While cashew butter is quite creamy, almond butter has a bit of texture.

It’s still creamy, only there are more traces of those nuts left over from the grinding process. Almonds just aren’t ground the same way, so you get some of that texture.

You most likely won’t even notice the texture, but there is a difference.

Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition, we are simply comparing cashew butter and almond butter against each other. Here are the main details that call our attention in this regard.

• Almond butter has significantly less saturated fat
• Almond butter has a higher fiber content
• Almond butter has fewer carbs
• Almond butter has much less sodium
• Almond butter is a good source of calcium and potassium

Resume

Cashew butter and almond butter are both plant-based butters, and while they have a lot in common, they also have some subtle differences.

As for the flavor, you will notice that the different flavors stand out more with the cashew butter. The taste and smell of cashews in the butter is noticeable, but not unpleasant or overpowering.

It is rich and nutty at the same time.  Almond butter, on the other hand, is only slightly sweet and nutty, but has a mostly neutral flavor. 

If you compare the texture, almond butter can be slightly gritty at times, but not in a bad way. It’s just harder to finely grind almonds into a powder. Cashew butter is always smooth and creamy.

Of course, the nutritional details also vary. There are pros and cons to both varieties. They have different items so it will really depend on what you are looking for nutrition wise.

In general, both types of butter are standard nut butters. Both have a nutty flavor and do not require additives for their preparation.

Nuts produce natural oils that easily compound butter and give it that perfect nutty flavor for those with a sweet tooth.

What you choose to use may depend on your taste or texture preferences, or even the nutritional aspect. It really depends on you.

Lastly, almond butter is usually easier to find because it’s easier to come by. You may find it more difficult to find cashew butter, or you may not have as many options in general.