Almonds have a savory sweet taste and are added to dishes to give it that milky creaminess. Ground almonds are often used to thicken curries and almond slivers are often found in rices and sweets. In hot weather, blanched almonds are used in a thandai, a cool almond drink, creamed with black pepper, cardamom, milk, and sugar. Use these slivered almonds as a decorative topping on special dishes.