| The almond tree grows from 8 to 10 m in height, is long lasting, with grey or brownish branches, slightly toothed leaves and white or pale pink flowers. The almond fruit is an egg-shaped drupe with a fleshy green external surface, sometimes covered by thick fluff and/or reddish shades surrounded by a woody shell with pores. It contains one or two seeds (the almond) covered by a smooth or wrinkled skin, whose color goes from brown to ochre. |
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The almond tree blossoming season comes early, around January March, and may vary according to different environments. Fresh almonds come out in spring time and can be collected and eaten in April-May when they are still green and fleshy on the outside and the inner shell has not yet hardened, or semi-fresh in June-July, while dry ones can be found all year round. After the harvest, fruit are put to dry in the open air and then the cupule is taken out mechanically. Fruit without the cupule must be then put to dry up. After that it is possible to bleach the fruit thruough sulphur dioxide to improve its outside appearance and to disinfect it against some parasites that are particularly damaging especially during preservation.
Three kinds of almond belong to the Amygdalus communis species:
sativa, with sweet seed and hard shell, that includes most of the cultivated species;
fragilis, with sweet seed and fragile shell; bitter, with bitter seed due to the presence of amygdaline.
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A BIT OF HISTORY
Wild almond trees grow in the Eastern Mediterranean region and in the East; almond trees were initially cultivated right in this region. They were then brought from Greece to Sicily by the Phoenicians (Romans used to call them Greek nut), then they spread in France, Spain and in almost all Mediterranean countries . The wild almond fruit contains glycoside amygdaline, which became deadly hydrogen cyanide after crushing, chewing, or any other injury to the seed. After cultivation and domestication almonds became edible: probably they were roasted to eliminate toxic substances. Domesticated almonds, instead, are not toxic: Jared Diamond argues that a common genetic mutation causes an absence of glycoside amygdaline,
and this mutant was grown by early farmers . According to some studies, almonds were one of the earliest domesticated fruit trees due to the ability of the grower to select fruits. Thus, in spite of the fact that this plant does not lend itself to propagation from suckers or from cuttings, it could have been domesticated even before the introduction of grafting.
Domesticated almonds appeared in the Early Bronze Age (3000-2000 BC) of the Near East. A well-known archaeological example of the almond is the fruit found in Tutankhamen's tomb in Egypt (1325 BC), probably imported from the Levant.
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PROPERTIES
Almonds are rich in beneficial properties for body health.
They have an high energy and calory concentration: they contain an high percentage of proteins, precious vitamins of group E, B1 and B2, magnesium, iron and calcium, and therefore they are very useful for bones calcification (and so particularly recommended for pregnant or menopausal women).
Furthermore, they have antiseptic, remineralizing, soothing, laxative and restorative properties and they are the kind of dry fruit with the highest content of fibers (12%).
Their peculiar balance in minerals, vitamins, proteins and fats strengthens the nervous system and works as a healthy and tasty natural antidepressant.
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Almonds contain a lot of good fats; in fact, most of the fats contained in this food are monounsaturated and therefore good for cardiovascular system.
Recent studies have shown that a constant consumption of this food lowers the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in blood. It goes without saying that overweight people should not overeat it. Moreover, almond oil is largely used in cosmetic as smoothening for dry and delicate skins, for treating eye sockets, as massage oil to soothe stress or treating stretch marks on the skin. |
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CURIOSITY
The Jewish name nervous or upset means hard-working or watchful since almond tree is among the first ones to blossom in Israel, usually at the beginning of February, like the Tu BiShvat, a Jewish festivity that is also called Trees new Years Eve.
Since ancient times almond tree has been the symbol of promise thanks to its early blossoming that is the symbol of Gods sudden redemption for his people after a period in which it seemed that he had abandoned them.
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It is quoted 10 times in the Bible with the name of shaqed, which means watchful, and refers to God and also spring and rebirth.
Almond is also the tree under which Buddha reached enlightenment, while according to some eastern cosmogony myths the world was born from an almond shaped shell.
Ren Guenon says that the entrance to the mythic Agarthi, the underground city ruled by the King of the World, is located under an almond tree.
100% PURE ALMOND
Fugar 100% Pure Almond is obtained from a selection of the best varieties of high quality almonds.
Almonds that arrive at our premises are freshly peeled and undergo a careful control process. During this phase we verify the product conformity to the technical specifications required; in particular we check product humidity, freshness, almost zero presence of wreck, and organoleptic characteristics.
After these controls, fresh almonds are immediately roasted at controlled temperature; roasting is light to preserve the delicate taste of pure product.
Then we go on with milling and refining process, always monitored and at controlled temperature to keep almond organoleptic qualities unvaried.
Fugar Almond is a 100% pure paste, without additives, coloring nor flavourings.
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For this reason the oil naturally contained in almonds tend to form layers on the surface and it is always recommended to carefully mix the product before use. It is important to know that this separation is not a defect, but it ensures the authenticity of the product!
AWARDS
Fugar 100% Pure Almond has received the golden medal for High Quality
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