The Almond tree

1. The Almond tree Spring Flowering

2. Latin name: Prunus amygdalus Scientific classification Variety Depending on the characteristics of the almond, we distinguish the following varieties:bitter, the seeds are toxic;dulcis, whose seeds are used in confectionery industry and for the extraction of almond oil;fragilis, with sweet seeds, but not woody endocarp

3. Origin and location The almond tree is native of the Mediterranean climate region of the Middle East. It was spread in ancient times along the shores of the Mediterranean area into northern Africa and southern Europe and more recently transported to other parts of the world. Thanks to its microclimate, Sicily is one of the main area of almond production. . The fruit of the wild almond contains glycoside amygdalin, which is a toxic substance. After the cultivation and domestication, almonds became edible.On the contrary, domestic almonds are not toxic; Jared Diamond believes that a genetic mutation resulted in the disappearance of the glycoside amygdalin.

4. Description of the Almond Tree: It is a small deciduous tree, growing to 4-10 m tall, with a trunk up to 30 cm of diameter. The young shoots are green at first, becoming purplish where exposed to sunlight, then grey in their second year. The leaves are lanceolate, 4-13 cm long. The flowers are white or pale pink, with five petals, produced singly or in pairs.The fruit is a drupe 3.5-6 cm long, with a downy outer coat. The outer covering called the hull contains inside a hard shell, the edible kernel. Generally, one kernel is present, but occasionally two. The flowers usually bloom in early spring, and if the weather is mild, even in January and February.

5. Between January and February, during the period of the flowering of the almond trees, the island of Sicily takes on a spectacular beauty. The flowering almond trees, with their different pink and white shades, are particularly attractive to photographers, painters and to all lovers of nature in general. In Agrigento in particular, there is one of the most renowned and exciting festivals in Sicily: “la Sagra del Mandorlo in fiore” which in English means “The flowering almond tree”, and it represents a sign of the coming Springtime.

6. Almond products:Almond oil There are two forms of the plant, one producing sweet almonds and the other producing bitter almonds. The kernel of the former contains a fixed oil and emulsion. In the past the oil was used in medicine and nowadays it remains fairly popular in alternative medicine, particularly as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. This oil is used by massage therapists to make the skin softer during a massage, being considered by many to be an effective emollient.

7. Almond products:desserts Almonds are also used for the production of many sweets and desserts. In Italy almond sweets are the base for “amaretti” (almond macaroons), a common dessert. Traditionally, a low percentage of bitter almond is added to the ingredients, which gives the cookies their bitter taste. In Sicily the "pasta di mandorle" (almond paste) is very famous and it is typical of our town Acireale. Almonds are also used to make the “Nugat” ( turruni ).

8. Almond products: Milk and syrup Almonds can be processed into a milk called almond milk, a very famous drink in our town and it is served very cold especially in summer. Almond syrup isalso very important. It is an emulsion of sweet and bitter almonds used in culinary industry to create ice-cream or desserts.

9. Uses Finely grind used in water (to make a milky drink) for fever, cough, chest and nutrition for invalids.It may also be useful in cases of bronchitis and asthma.Almond oil is shown to reduce cholesterol levels in blood.The Chinese used the oil for thousands of years as a muscle relaxer and local anesthetic.In Ayurvedic medicine the almond cake is used as a laxative or it can be used for oil and soap.