Almond

Lore & Background

The almond tree is deciduous, growing to 3–4.5 metres in height with a trunk up to 30 centimetres in diameter. Its fragrant flowers are white to pale pink, appearing before the leaves in early spring. The fruit is a drupe with a leathery hull and a hard, reticulated shell enclosing the edible seed. Almonds begin bearing an economic crop in the third year after planting and reach full bearing five to six years later, with fruit maturing in autumn 7–8 months after flowering.

Reader's Guide

Almonds were among the earliest domesticated fruit trees, likely because they could be grown from seed without grafting. Evidence of domesticated almonds appears in Early Bronze Age archaeological sites of the Middle East, and cultivation spread across the Mediterranean region and similar arid climates with cool winters. The wild ancestor is uncertain, but Prunus fenzliana is a likely candidate. Today, California produces about 80% of the world's almonds, but this production faces sustainability challenges due to high water demand, pesticide use, and drought exacerbated by climate change. The almond's significance lies in its long history of cultivation, its role in global cuisine, and its economic importance, though modern production methods raise environmental concerns.

Did You Know?

• The almond is not a true nut but a drupe, with a woody endocarp surrounding the seed.
• Bitter almonds contain 4–9 milligrams of hydrogen cyanide per almond, far more than sweet almonds.
• Almonds can be stored for about a year if kept refrigerated; higher temperatures cause faster rancidity.
• The word 'almond' derives from Old French, Late Latin, and ultimately Ancient Greek 'amygdálē'.