what is the bitter crystalline compound found in almonds
Bitter almonds may yield from 4â9 mg of hydrogen cyanide per almond and contain 42 times higher amounts of cyanide than the trace levels found in sweet almonds. The origin of cyanide content in bitter almonds is via the enzymatic hydrolysis of amygdalin. In Italy, the bitter almonds from apricots are the base for amaretti (almond macaroons), a common dessert. 2  Traditionally, a low percentage of bitter almonds (10-20%) is added to the ingredients, which gives the cookies their bitter taste (commercially, apricot kernels are used as a substitute for bitter almonds).