Though they’re commonly referred to as nuts, almonds are actually seeds from the fruit of the almond tree. Similar to peach, cherry and apricot trees, almond tree fruit contains stone-like pits. These seeds are what we have come to call the almond nut.
Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat — the same type found in olive oil — which can reduce the risk of heart disease. They also offer a beautiful balance of monounsaturated fats alongside polyunsaturated fats.
Rich in magnesium, protein, dietary fiber, potassium and Vitamin E, almonds contain an abundance of nutrients, all which support cardiovascular health.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that plays a critical role, assisting monounsaturated fats in reducing heart complications. It also helps clear out oxidative damage in our bodies caused by free radicals in the environment, preventing damage to our cells and onset of certain diseases and health issues.
Almonds are also proven to lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
History
An ancient food that has been documented in sacred texts, including the Bible, almonds may have been among the earliest tree-food that humans cultivated.
Almonds have been used in Greece since the fifth century BCE, and in Iran and throughout Western Asia for more than 6,000 years.
History
An ancient food that has been documented in sacred texts, including the Bible, almonds may have been among the earliest tree-food that humans cultivated.
Almonds have been used in Greece since the fifth century BCE, and in Iran and throughout Western Asia for more than 6,000 years.
From there, almonds spread to other European countries. The Romans referred to them as the ‘Greek nut,’honoring the civilization said to have first cultivated them.
Today, almonds are grown in various countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Portugal, Italy, Spain and Morocco. Currently, California holds the title for being the largest producer and exporter of almonds.
Farming & Harvesting
Because they are extremely sensitive to spring frosts, almond trees grow particularly well in warm climates, where they can reach a 10-metre average height and live more than 100 years.
The beautiful pink-and-white flowers of the almond tree are pollinated by bees, so farmers often set up beehives close by. In optimum conditions, one hectare of trees will produce anywhere from 800 to 1,200 kilosof almonds.
Harvesting techniques vary, and it depends on how almonds are going to be consumed. Fresh almonds are the result of an end-of-spring harvest, and dry come late in summer.
Our Two Cents 2¢
At Cacao Now, we place the same importance on almonds as we do on all our whole and organic ingredients. We believe in the almond and its health benefits, and deem this beautiful seed a healthy addition to our snacks.
We would also like to acknowledge that almond cultivation uses a significantly larger amount of water when compared to many other nuts, and we encourage eating almonds mindfully and respectfully.