Almond
Family Rosaceae
Prunus amygdalus (= Prunus dulcis), almond (P. amygdalus 1), is a small tree, resembling the peach tree, with single leaves and pink flowers, appearing in tufts of 1-3 before the leaves. The leaves are broadest below the middle, whereas the leaves of the peach are broadest about or above the middle. The fruit is a green and leathery drupe, splitting open when ripe, showing the stone (P. amygdalus 2). This stone is the inner fruit wall or endocarp, containing the seed or almond.
Distribution
The almond tree is a native of the eastern part of the Mediterranean region, from where it spread westwards to Europe. The ancient Greeks and Romans cultivated almonds and today they are cultivated in all subtropical and temperate regions.
Use
There are two varieties to be distinguished: Prunus amygdala var. amara, the bitter almond (P. amygdalus 3), cultivated for its almond oil, which is used for flavouring; and Prunus amygdala var. dulcis, the sweet almond (P. amygdalus 4), grown for its nuts, which are eaten roasted and salted as dessert nuts. Ground almonds are used for special doughs like marzipan in pastries.
The most important producing countries are Italy, Spain, France and California.