Whole Almonds (Lawz Hab)

Lawz hab are whole almond kernels, shelled and ready to use, found in the raw nuts section at Dekenet Al Nes. Almonds are a staple of the Lebanese kitchen. They are often eaten as a snack, lightly toasted and scattered over rice and meat dishes, or blanched and used to garnish desserts such as muhallabieh and meghli. They can also be ground for baking, chopped into salads and granola, or blended at home into almond milk or paste. At Dekenet Al Nes, a package-free grocery store in Baaqline, in the Chouf, almonds are sold by the kilo, so you can take just the amount you need. Customers are encouraged to bring their own jars or bags and refill them, which helps cut plastic waste and single-use packaging.