The story of almond (Prunus dulcis)

The story of almond (Prunus dulcis)
Almonds are native of Middle East and were probably abundant in ancient times, since they are mentioned several times in the bible.

The Hebrew name for the almond, shakud, means “hasty awakening,” which probably derives from its prolific and fragrant bloom in late winter, ahead of most other orchard species.

Aaron’s rod was made of almond wood, and Jewish people often carry blooming almond branches to synagogues for festivals.

Ancient pagans thought almonds symbolized virginity. Some even used almonds as an emblem of the Virgin Mary.

While symbolizing virginity, almonds were also used as fertility charms and marriage blessings.

Italians used to distribute almonds at wedding as tokens of fruitfulness.

The almond was referred to as the “womb of the world,” suggestive of its supposed both birth-bringing powers.

Reference to the flowering almond in older poetry often meant “hope” according to “the language of flowers.”

However, almond trees have a somewhat conflicting symbolism: giddiness, heedlessness, stupidity, indiscretion, and thoughtlessness.

Almonds were left in King Tutankhamen’s tomb to provide nourishment in his afterlife.

Almonds branches were used as divining rods in Tuscany, Italy.

Almonds have been used as a folk remedy for cancers, tumors, ulcers, corns and calluses. Almonds were thought to prevent intoxication from drinking too much alcohol.

As with other members of Prunus, bitter almonds contain cyanogenic glycosides in seeds, bark and leaves; of eaten in large quantities, they can cease convulsions and death. About 50 to 70 bitter almonds cause death in adults; seven to ten can cause death in children, while three can cause severe poisoning. The sweet almonds of commerce do not contain these compounds.

Phloretin is an antibiotic-like compound found in bark and root extracts; in concentrate form, phloretin can kill certain bacteria.

The major nonfood usage of almond is for oil. Almond oil is highly valued for used in cosmetics and creams, and bitter almond oil is used as an essential oil. The oil is sued to treat various forms of dermatitis.
The story of almond (Prunus dulcis)

Almonds: From Asian Minor to America

Almonds: From Asian Minor to America
The almond (Prunus amygdalus) is botanically related to the cherry, peach, plum and apricot.

It is probably originated in Asia Minor and has been consumed since prehistoric times.

Almonds were particularly important during the Middle Ages; at that time, marzipan, a sweet almond-paste confection, was introduced by Arabs into western Europe.

Recipes using almonds appear in medieval English cookery manuscripts.

Almonds were first planted in coastal California by Franciscan missionaries in the eighteenth century, but the growing conditions were not suitable.

In the 185os, almond trees were successfully cultivated in California’s Central Valley.

Almonds the most important and the most versatile of all tree nuts and have the larger share of the world’s tree nut trade.

In addition to being a popular and nutritious snack, almonds are used for making flavorings, macaroons, marzipan, salads, baked goods, and confections, such as coconut almond and chocolate almond candy bars.

All commercial American almonds are grown in California, which also supplies more tan 70 percent of all the almonds consumed in the world.
Almonds: From Asian Minor to America

Almond: Origin and History of Cultivation

Almond: Origin and History of Cultivation
Almond and related species are nature to the Mediterranean climate region of the Middle East (Pakistan eastward to Syria ad Turkey).

The almond and its close relative, the peach, probably evolved from the same ancestral species in south central Asia.

The original population of peach-almond progenitor species was separated by the formation of mountain ranges in southern Asia millions of years ago.

The resulting climate change allowed almonds to evolved in the arid western part of this region, while peaches evolved in the humid eastern of south central China.

Almonds were domesticated at least by 3000 BC, and perhaps much earlier, since wild almonds have been unearthed in Greek archaeological sites dating to 8000 BC.

In the wild state most species of almonds are bitter and unpalatable, as they contain the cyanide-releasing compound amygdalin.

Presence of amygdalin in almonds is controlled by a single dominant gene; thus, a simple mutation would produce non bitter almonds, and by chance, early farmers found these trees occasionally.

Trial and error combined with the selection of the best tasting almonds of plant new trees eventually led to the domestication of modern, sweet almonds.

The almond was spread along the shores of the Mediterranean in northern Africa and southern Europe by Egyptians Greeks, and Romans.

It was brought to California in the 1700s, by Spanish padres who settle the mission at Santa Barbara.

Larger plantings did not occur until the mid 1800s.

Around the turn of the century, the industry started in California, due to development of superior cultivars in the late 1800s.

Tariffs on almond imports were levied to protect the industry. For then until about 1960, the industry grew at a moderate pace, but acreage and production have increased several folds since then, making California the clear world leader in almond production.
Almond: Origin and History of Cultivation

History of Almond

Food History
The English word almond is derived from the French amande, which in turn is a derivative of the old Latin word for almond, amygdalus, literally meaning "tonsil plum." Ancient Romans also referred to almonds as "Greek nuts," since they were first cultivated in Greece. Historians generally agree that almonds and dates, both mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, were among the earliest cultivated foods.

Explorers ate almonds while traveling the "Silk Road" between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean, especially in Spain and Italy. The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700's by the Franciscan Padres. It wasn't until the following century that trees were successfully planted inland. By the 1870's, research and cross-breeding had developed several of today's prominent almond varieties. By the turn of the 20th century, the almond industry was firmly established in the Sacramento and San Joaquin areas of California's great Central Valley.

Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. The earliest varieties of almonds were found in China carried by traders down the ancient silk road to Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East.

According to superstition: If you eat almonds before taking a drink, you will reduce your chances of getting drunk and avoid having a hangover.
Food History