3. Chinese Almonds

These small, cream-coloured almonds are also known as apricot kernels. They have a distinctive medicinal aroma, and are slightly toxic unless cooked. There are two varieties of Chinese almonds; the bitter variety (bei xing) is primarily used in savoury herbal soups, and the sweet variety (nan xing) in desserts. As both varieties are almost identical in shape and colour, check to make sure you are purchasing the correct variety.