The Almond Tree

The Almond tree is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. It is a popularly known tree for the fruit or drupe it bares the almond. The almond tree is a deciduous tree that can grow from 4 to 10 meters in height, with a trunk diameter of about 30cm. The leaves of the almond tree range from 3 to 5 inches long with a serrated margin that are attached to the stem with a flat stalk. The tree produces flowers that are either white or a pale pink; each flower consists of five pedals and can be found as a single unit or a pair. The fruit or drupe is produced only after the tree has reached five years of age and about 7 to 8 months after flowering has occurred.

Native to the Mediterranean climate region the almond tree began to makes its way eastward by humans of the ancient times along the shorelines of the Mediterranean into northern Africa and southern Europe. More recently the almond tree has starting making its debut in the United States and California notably. Global production of almonds is around 1.7 million tons, according to the Food and Agriculture Organizations among its producers the United States was at 41% of that amount. California is the leading contributor of almonds in the United States; almonds are California’s third leading crop for the state and first in exports.

Almonds are made up of 49% oils, of which 62% of those oils are monounsaturated oleic acids (Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acids), 24% omega-6 essential fatty acids and 6% saturated fatty acids. The oil from almonds is very healthy for the skin and it has been used traditionally by massage therapists to lubricate the skin and because of its mild nature is a wonderful substitute for olive oil.

Other benefits that can be gained from the almond include being responsible for lowering cholesterol due to being rich in good for you fats. Some claim the oils from the almonds have improved the overall complexion of the skin, improvements in the digestive system and have shown to have a hand in the prevention of cancer. A controlled study showed that despite almonds high fat content, when consumed on a regular basis in a daily diet a person’s risk for heart problems when significantly decreased.

Almonds play a very broad ranged roll in cuisines across the world, here are some examples:

• In various regions of Greece a soda pop is made using almonds called Soumada .
• In Iran Almonds dipped in sea salt called Chaqalu badom, are served and eaten ask a snack.
• In Morocco almonds are commonly grounded into a paste and used in many dessert dishes and a drink made with crushed almonds and milk is a traditional drink served at weddings.
• In Italy a traditional cookie is made with the use of almonds known as Amaretti or almond macaroons.
• China also utilizes the almond in a milk dessert creations, simply mixing almonds and warm milk.
• In India almonds are commonly found as the base for many curries.

Almonds can commonly be seen now as a main ingredient mentioned in breakfast cereals, honey roasted, in salads and containers of mixed nuts for snacking. Almonds are used to complete main dishes and desserts like cookies, pies and cakes.