Almond Trees

Prunus dulcis (common almond) is a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family, native to Southwest Asia. Botanically, it is closely related to the peach; it blooms very early in spring, often before leafing, which makes it sensitive to frost. The fruit is a drupe, but unlike other species of the genus Prunus, it has an inedible, leathery, and felt-like pericarp (rubine). This dries out as it ripens and cracks lengthwise, releasing a pitted stone with an edible seed. Almonds are extremely valuable nutritionally due to their high content of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), protein, and fiber. Among nuts, they stand out for their high content of calcium, vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant), and magnesium. Their phytochemical profile is defined by the presence of phytosterols (beta-sitosterol), which help regulate cholesterol. The brown skin of the kernel is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids with prebiotic effects. Bitter varieties specifically contain high amounts of the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin.