SPAIN'S ALMOND TREES ...

Almond trees were domesticated as far back as 3.000 BC and have been part of our local Mediterranean culture for millennia. Approximately 1.7 million tons of almonds are produced every year around the world. Spain is the second largest almond producer in the world (13% of annual production) after the United States (over 40 percent annually) and relies on Andalucia and Valencia as its main producing regions.

Almond trees add a special charm to the landscapes of Andalucia with their willowy wispy branches and delicate flowers. The largest populations of almond trees can be found in La Axarquia in Malaga Province, also about 22km inland from Marbella.

If you travel across southern Spain in the Spring while the almond trees are in full bloom (usually from late January until about mid March), you’ll see that some are white and others pink. The white blossoms produce sweet almonds while the pink ones produce the bitter variety. The latter contain cyanide which must be removed before consuming the extract of these nuts.

Enjoy!

Nora