Almond

It is highly probable that the almond tree originated in southwest Asia from Anatolia to Uzbekistan. Today almond plantations can be found in the USA, the Mediterranean region, Australia, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. Pakka almonds come from the valleys of the Karakorum Mountains in northern Pakistan.

The almond tree is robust, likes stony soils, sunny slopes and altitudes between 700 and 1700 m.a.s.l. Strictly speaking, almonds are not nuts but kernels and therefore belong to the stone fruits. The blossoming time, the harvest time and the size of the almond depend on the altitude of the growing area. The typical almond tree in Pakistan is a mixture of wild, old varieties with relatively small fruits.

Health benefits

Almonds …

contain mainly “good” fats, i.e. polyunsaturated.
reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
contain antioxidants that bind pathogenic free radicals.
are protein packages.
supply folic acid.
support muscles and nerves.
promote digestion by providing plenty of fibre.

Care should be taken with raw bitter almonds. A distinction is made between bitter and sweet almonds, depending on their bitter almond oil content. The former contain the poisonous prussic acid glycoside amygdalin and taste bitter and tart.

Small kitchen guide

Almonds are used for baking cakes and biscuits and for making marzipan and nougat. When processed into nutmeg, almonds help thicken sauces or refine desserts and thus offer a tasty, vegan alternative to dairy products. In their raw form, almonds are the ideal, healthy snack for in-between meals.

Storage

Nuts in shell should be stored dry, cool and airy, preferably in nets. This way they can be stored for several months. Since almonds have a lower fat content in comparison, they can be stored longer than other nuts. Whole, roasted and seasoned almonds should be stored protected from oxygen and sunlight at ideally 15 degrees. Closed, opaque packaging is particularly suitable for this.

Source: Schwarz, G. (2012). Gesund mit Nüssen. Herbig, München. | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung: https://www.dge.de/