The choice of wood pellets makes a big difference when it comes to imparting unique flavors to smoked barbeque foods.

The idea is to support the taste of the meat as well as making it tender and succulent to eat. Therefore, different wood chips are listed by their smoking intensity. Both chips made of plumwood and almond wood chips are more sophisticated choices as they support versus overtake the flavors of smoked meats or vegetables.

For example, woods like beech or hickory are stronger. So, you need to use them when a smoking or barbequing session is longer. They are more aggressive woods, so milder wood choices, like plum or almond, can be used for shorter sessions at a smoker or grill.

Pellets Made of Plum Wood and Almond Wood

Two popular choices are smoking chips made of plum wood and almond wood pellets, each of which provide their own distinct characteristics. 

Let’s explore the main differences between the popular smoking chips and see when it’s best to use each product.

The Aromatic Magic of Plum Wood Pellets

Plum wood chips come from the fruit-bearing plum tree. Therefore, they add a subtle yet distinct fruity aroma to smoked meat and vegetables. 

The lighter smoky flavor of plum is better suited to lighter meats that are cooked or smoked for a shorter time. The milder wood chips work well with meats like fish, poultry, or chicken or with vegetables like asparagus, corn, and bell peppers as they don’t overwhelm the foods’ natural flavors. You can also use the chips to smoke fruits and cheeses.

Plum wood chips are generally not recommended for heavier cuts of meat in the form of beef or lamb, as the meat might overpower the smoke’s milder aroma and flavor.

However, if you’re looking to experiment with different flavor profiles, you might find that subtly offsetting richer flavors with a lighter smoke like plum is worth trying out.

Almond Wood Chips: The Nutty Smoked Meat Alternative

Almond wood smoke chips are harvested from almond trees and provide a slightly nutty yet more intense smoked flavor than plum. The warmer and medium-smoke wood chips makes them a preferred choice for meats with stronger and richer flavors, especially beef, pork, and lamb. 

The chips’ nutty essence enhances the natural richness of these meats while adding depth and complexity to the total flavor profile.

While almond wood is versatile enough to be used with most types of meat, it may not be the best match for some seafood dishes or vegetables as its flavor is more distinct. That’s when you’ll need to reach for your plum wood chips when grilling or smoking outside.

When It’s Better to Use Each Product: Some Useful Tips

Below are some quick tips to help you determine when it’s best to use pellets or chips made of plum wood or when you should reach for a bag of almond wood pellets instead.

1. Delicate meat flavors and seafoods –  Choose plum wood chips when smoking poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, or cheeses to subtly enhance their natural flavors..
2. Richer and larger cuts of meats – Select almond wood chips when grilling or smoking beef or lamb, as these meats work well with almond and its delectable nutty aroma..
3. Experimentation – Every palate is unique, so part of the challenge of smoking is discovering new wood chip combinations. For example, you might mix plum wood and almond wood pellets for supporting meat dishes that feature  turkey, beef, and larger cuts of pork.
4. Vegetable Preparation – You can use both plum and almond wood chips when you grill vegetables like asparagus and bell peppers. Halve and stuff the bell peppers with beef for a truly wonderful dish.

Sweet potatoes are best paired with almond wood chips. When grilling, cut the potatoes in wedges or slices, smoking them until they are tender.

You can use both plum and almond wood chips when you grill vegetables like asparagus and bell peppers. Halve and stuff the bell peppers with beef for a truly wonderful delectable entree.

One Key Point to Keep in Mind

The key thing to remember is that you want your wood chips to enhance the flavor of a meat or food – not to overpower it. What is great about both plum and almond woods is that they enhance foods rather than take over the flavor.

Final Thoughts

Both plum and almond wood smoking chips have their distinct qualities  but are better used in certain applications. Plum wood provides a more subtle sweet taste while almond enhances the smoke with a nutty aroma and essence.

Buy Plum and Almond Wood Chips Online Now

Set yourself apart from other barbeque smokers. Go online and buy both plum and almond wood pellets now.