The almond story
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| No one knows exactly where the almond
originated, but undoubtedly PRUNUS ULMIFOLIA, the wild species from
China, contributed to our present day nut. We do know that almonds
probably traveled down the ancient silk road in the saddle bags of
the caravans as part of the wonderful treasures from China, going to
the Middle East. |
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They were grown and enjoyed not only for food and flavor, but also
for their silken, light oil, long before the Christian era in
Greece, Turkey, the middle East and southwestern Asia. Most
authorities agree that almonds and dates, both mentioned in the Old
Testament of the Bible, were among the earliest cultivated foods.
Almonds were well established in Greece from these ancient times. In
a history of plants written about 300 B.C., a Greek scholar mentions
the almond tree as the only one in Greece that produces blossoms
before leaves. About 100 years later in 200 B.C., the Romans brought
these "Greek nuts" home to their Republic. The ancient
Romans loved them! So much in fact that they were introduced
throughout their empire from Egypt, all the way to England - the
width and breadth of civilization at that time. |
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Even today we find that almonds are an integral part of many of the
Mediterranean cuisines. Ground almonds are used to thicken soups and
stews; their addition to sweet and savory dishes, and the delicious
confections of candy coated "Jordan" almonds, nougat and
marzipan all stem from the innovative cooking skills of the
countries conquered by Rome. |
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Then their fame spread again. From Spain, almonds traveled abroad
with New World explorers to Mexico. From there, in the mid-1700's,
the Franciscan Padres planted almond trees to grace their Missions
along El Camino Real (The Royal Road) that stretches along the
California coast, from San Diego to Sonoma. |
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Almonds today
Today, California is the only place in North America where almonds
are grown commercially. In a 400-mile long stretch of land, from
below Bakersfield in the south to Red Bluff in the north, some 500'000
acres in the lush San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys are under almond
cultivation. There are over 6,000 individual almond growers in the
state. |
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Almonds are California's largest
tree nut crop in terms of dollar value, acreage, and world distribution.
In fact, over 2/3 of the world's supply of almonds, including
100% of those for the U.S. market, are grown in California's
valleys. In addition, California almonds are exported to more
than 88 other countries around the world.
Thanks to modern harvesting and storage techniques, along with the superbly efficient American distribution system, "peak of the harvest"
almonds are available in every part of our country, year-round. |
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