Kitchn Love Letters

The $10 Costco Find That Just Became My New Forever Snack

updated Feb 9, 2021
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: Nilina Mason-Campbell

Not too long ago, I made my monthly trip to Costco and paused at the display featuring Blue Diamond’s new “luxury” almonds. Okay, okay, they don’t technically have “luxury” in their name, but if I had to describe the general vibe of Blue Diamond’s Garlic, Herb, and Olive Oil Gourmet Almonds, it’s definitely the right word to use. I bought them, of course. And I’m happy to report that these flavorful almonds taste like … sophistication. After the first handful — my goodness — these nuts officially became my new forever snack. 

Credit: Nilina Mason-Campbell

My quick, initial taste test basically turned into a full meal because I couldn’t stop eating them. Even though they’re coated with olive oil, the almonds didn’t leave my palms greasy — although my fingertips did end up dusted with flavorful herbs. These nuts reminded me of a bar snack you might find at a super-swanky cocktail bar. Bars aren’t really a thing right now, so instead I just eat these nuts by the handful and bask in their gourmet luxury in the comfort of my own home.

Credit: Nilina Mason-Campbell

Nuts are expensive to begin with, so you can imagine my surprise when I realized that Costco’s price for this 20-ounce bag of gourmet almonds was just $9.99. I’ve since tried to find them online: A 5-ounce bag goes for just around $5 on Amazon, while the resealable Costco bag weighs four times as much for just twice the price.

Credit: Nilina Mason-Campbell

So far I’ve been trying to ration my stash, but I’ll admit I might have to break my monthly Costco cadence to make a special trip for a couple more bags. Most nights, I treat these as a delicacy on par with dessert. But I’ll also easily throw back a handful earlier in the day if I find myself needing a bit of midday fuel. No matter the time of day, these almonds taste like a treat, which adds an entirely welcome little spark to my day. My own little “Almond Joy.” (GET IT?)

What’s your “forever snack”?