We find that Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible. They were a prized ingredient in breads served to Egypt's pharaohs. Their exact ancestry is unknown, but almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia. The earliest varieties of almonds were carried by traders down the ancient "Silk Road" to Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East and before long, almond trees were flourishing in the Mediterranean, especially in Spain and Italy.
Throughout history we find that almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Bible's "Book of Numbers" tells the story of Aaron's rod that blossomed and bore almonds, giving the almond the symbolism of divine approval.
The Romans would shower newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. Today, Americans give guests at weddings a bag of sugared almonds, representing children, happiness, romance, good health and fortune. In Sweden, cinnamon-flavored rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is a Christmas custom. Find it, and good fortune is yours for a year.
The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700's by the Franciscan monks. The moist and cool weather of the coastal missions did not provide the necessary optimum growing conditions needed. 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 valley areas of California's great Central Valley.
California is the only place in North America where almonds are grown commercially. In the past 30 years, California's almond yield has quadrupled. More than 450,000 acres in the lush San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys are under almond cultivation, stretching 400 miles between Bakersfield and Red Bluff, California. Nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Pacific Coast Ranges is California's fertile Central Valley, home to one of the oldest and most beautiful flowering fruit trees. Unlike other flowering fruit trees that bear edible fruit, this tree's "pearl" is the delicious nut found inside the fruit, the almond.
The almond is botanically a stone fruit related to the cherry, the plum, and the peach. The almond is one of the most versatile nuts in the world. We eat many varieties in many diverse forms. Almonds are delicious alone as a nutritious snack, and they are a prime ingredient in home kitchens and in food manufacturing. Almonds enhance virtually every food they grace with their distinctive taste and satisfying crunch.