Almond
Almond tree with ripening fruit. Mallorca, Spain.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Subfamily: Prunoideae Genus: Prunus Subgenus: Amygdalus Species: P. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Magnoliopsida is the Botanical name for a class of Flowering plants By definition the class will include the family Magnoliaceae, but its For other meanings see Rosales (disambiguation. Rosales is an order of Flowering plants including nine families The Rosaceae or Rose family is a large family of Plants with about 3000-4000 species in 100-160 genera Prunoideae, also called Amygdaloideae, is the Flowering plant subfamily containing the genera Prunus and Prinsepia Prunus is a Genus of Trees and Shrubs including the Plums cherries, Peaches Apricots and dulcis
Binomial name
Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. Philip Miller ( 1691 - 18 December 1771) was a botanist of Scottish descent A. Webb

Almond, nut, raw Nutritional value per 100 g (3. 5 oz)
Energy 580 kcal   2420 kJ
Carbohydrates     20 g - Sugars  5 g - Dietary fibre  12 g   Fat 51 g - saturated  4 g - monounsaturated  32 g   - polyunsaturated  12 g   Protein 22 g Thiamin (Vit. B1)  0. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that move food through the Digestive system, absorbing water and easing Defecation. Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water Saturated fat is Fat that consists of Triglycerides containing only saturated Fatty acids Explanation Fat that occurs For discussion how dietary fats affect cardiovascular health see Diet and heart disease. In nutrition polyunsaturated fat is an abbreviation of polyunsaturated Fatty acid. Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl For the similarly spelled pyrimidine see Thymine Thiamin or thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1 24 mg   18% Riboflavin (Vit. B2)  0. Riboflavin ( E101) also known as vitamin B2, is an easily absorbed Micronutrient with a key role in maintaining Health 8 mg   53% Niacin (Vit. B3)  4 mg   27% Pantothenic acid (B5)  0. Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin which prevents the deficiency disease Pellagra. Pantothenic acid, also called Vitamin B5 (a B vitamin) is a water- Soluble vitamin required to sustain life ( 3 mg  6% Vitamin B6  0. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble Vitamin. Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP is the active form and is a cofactor in many reactions of Amino acid metabolism including 13 mg 10% Folate (Vit. Folic acid (also known as Vitamin M and Folacin) and Folate (the Anionic form are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B9 B9)  29 μg  7% Vitamin C  0. Vitamin C or L-ascorbate is an Essential nutrient for a large number of higher primate species a small number of other Mammalian 0 mg 0% Calcium  248 mg 25% Iron  4 mg 32% Magnesium  275 mg 74%  Phosphorus  474 mg 68% Potassium  728 mg   15% Zinc  3 mg 30%
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Calcium (ˈkælsiəm is the Chemical element with the symbol Ca and Atomic number 20 Iron (ˈаɪɚn is a Chemical element with the symbol Fe (ferrum and Atomic number 26 Magnesium is an essential element in biological systems. Magnesium occurs typically as the Mg2+ ion Phosphorus, (ˈfɒsfərəs is the Chemical element that has the symbol P and Atomic number 15 Potassium (pəˈtæsiəm is a Chemical element. It has the symbol K (kalium from qalīy Atomic number 19 and Atomic mass 39 Zinc (ˈzɪŋk from Zink is a Metallic Chemical element with the symbol Zn and Atomic number 30 Reference Daily Intake (or Recommended Daily Intake ( RDI) is the daily dietary intake level of a nutrient which was considered (at the time they were defined to be sufficient Source: USDA Nutrient database

The Almond (Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus Batsch. This article deals with the general meaning of the term "synonym" , Amygdalus communis L. , Amygdalus dulcis Mill. ) is a species of Prunus belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae; within Prunus, it is classified in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated seed shell. Prunus is a Genus of Trees and Shrubs including the Plums cherries, Peaches Apricots and Prunoideae, also called Amygdaloideae, is the Flowering plant subfamily containing the genera Prunus and Prinsepia The Rosaceae or Rose family is a large family of Plants with about 3000-4000 species in 100-160 genera An almond is also the seed of this tree. A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored Botanically, the almond is not a nut, but a fruit. Nut is a general term for the large dry oily Seeds or Fruit of some Plants. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. ^[1]

Contents 1 Description 2 Origin and history 3 Production 4 Diseases 5 Pollination 6 Sweet and bitter almonds 7 Culinary uses 7.1 Almond oil 7.2 Almond syrup 7.3 Possible health benefits 8 Cultural aspects 9 Etymology 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

Description

The almond is native to Iran, from northwestern Saudi Arabia, north through western Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, western Syria, to southern Turkey. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches ^[2] It is a small deciduous tree, growing to between 4 and 10 metres in height, with a trunk of up to 30 centimetres in diameter. Botany Autumn leaf color. See --> In Botany and Horticulture, deciduous Plants, including A tree is a perennial Woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or The young shoots are green at first, becoming purplish where exposed to sunlight, then grey in their second year. The leaves are 1 cm long and 1. In Botany, a leaf is an above-ground Plant organ specialized for Photosynthesis. 2–4 cm broad, with a serrated margin and a 2. 5 cm petiole. The flowers are white or pale pink, 3–5 cm diameter with five petals, produced singly or in pairs before the leaves in early spring. A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also ^[3][4]

The fruit is a drupe 3. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. In Botany, a drupe is a Fruit in which an outer fleshy part ( Exocarp, or skin and Mesocarp, or flesh surrounds a shell (the pit 5–6 cm long, with a downy outer coat. The outer covering or exocarp, fleshy in other members of Prunus such as the plum and cherry, is reduced to a leathery grey-green coat called the hull, which contains inside a hard shell the edible kernel, commonly called a nut in culinary terms. A Fruit in Botany refers to a mature ovary. In fleshy fruits the outer often edible layer is the pericarp, which is the tissue that develops A plum or gage is a stone fruit Tree in the genus Prunus, subgenus Prunus. This article is about the Cherry berry also classified as fruit for the ornamental tree See Cherry Blossom. Nut is a general term for the large dry oily Seeds or Fruit of some Plants. Generally, one kernel is present, but occasionally two. However, in botanical terms, an almond is not a true nut. Nut is a general term for the large dry oily Seeds or Fruit of some Plants. In botanical parlance, the reticulated hard stony shell is called an endocarp. A Fruit in Botany refers to a mature ovary. In fleshy fruits the outer often edible layer is the pericarp, which is the tissue that develops It is mature in the autumn, 7–8 months after flowering. ^[3][4]

Origin and history

The wild form of domesticated almond grows in parts of the Levant; almonds must first have been taken into cultivation in this region. See also Names of the Levant The Levant (lə'vænt is a geographical term that denotes a large area in Western Asia, roughly bounded on the north by the The fruit of the wild forms contains the glycoside amygdalin, "which becomes transformed into deadly prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) after crushing, chewing, or any other injury to the seed"^[5] Before cultivation and domestication occurred, wild almonds were harvested as food and doubtless were processed by leaching or roasting to remove their toxicity. Amygdalin (from Greek: grc-Latn amygdálē “almond” C20H27NO11 is a Glycoside initially isolated from the seeds Hydrogen cyanide is a Chemical compound with Chemical formula HCN

However, domesticated almonds are not toxic; Jared Diamond argues that a common genetic mutation causes an absence of glycoside amygdalin, and this mutant was grown by early farmers, "at first unintentionally in the garbage heaps and later intentionally in their orchards". TemplateInfobox writer --> Jared Mason Diamond (b 10 September, 1937) is an American Evolutionary biologist ^[6] Zohary and Hopf believe that almonds were one of the earliest domesticated fruit-trees due to "the ability of the grower to raise attractive almonds from seed. 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". Grafting is a method of asexual Plant propagation widely used in Agriculture and Horticulture where the tissues of one Plant are encouraged to ^[5] Domesticated almonds appear in the Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 BC) of the Near East, or possibly a little earlier. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for A well-known archaeological example of almond is the fruits found in Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt (c. 1325 BC), probably imported from the Levant. ^[5] The domesticated form can be found as far north as Iceland^[7] although the official distribution of the plant in Europe shows the most northerly country to be Germany^[8]. Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland ( ( Ísland or Lýðveldið Ísland ( Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe.

Almond is called Lawz in Arabic and Baadaam in Persian, Urdu, Turkish, and Hindi. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Urdu ( ur '''{{Nastaliq اردو}}''' trans Urdū, historically spelled Ordu) is a Central Indo-Aryan language Urdu is a standardised Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is

Production

Global production of almonds is around 1. 7 million tonnes, with a low of 1 million tonnes in 1995 and a peak of 1. 85 million tonnes in 2002 according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) figures. ^[9] According to the FAO, world production of almonds was 1. 76 million tonnes in 2006. Major producers are the USA (715623 t, 41%), Spain (220000 t, 13%), Syria (119648 t, 7%), Italy (112796 t, 6%), Iran (108677 t, 6%) and Morocco (83000 t, 5%). Algeria, Tunisia and Greece each account for 3%, Turkey, Lebanon and China each account for 2%. ^[10] In Turkey, most of the production comes from the Datca peninsula. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Datça is a district as well as the center town of that district in Muğla Province of Turkey. In Spain, numerous commercial cultivars of sweet almond are produced, most notably the Jordan almond (imported from Málaga) and the Valencia almond. Valencia ( Valencian: València, Valencia Spanish phonology --> is the capital of the Spanish autonomous In the United States, production is concentrated in California, with almonds being California's sixth leading agricultural product and its top agricultural export. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. California exported almonds valued at 1. 08 billion dollars in 2003, about 70% of total California almond crop.

Because of cases of Salmonella traced to almonds in 2001 and 2004, in 2006 the California Almond Board proposed and the USDA approved rules regarding the nature of almonds available to the public. Salmonella is a Genus of rod-shaped Gram-negative enterobacteria that causes Typhoid fever, Paratyphoid fever From 1 September 2007, raw almonds will technically no longer be available in the United States. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Controversially, almonds labeled as "raw" will be required to be steam pasteurised or chemically treated with propylene oxide. Propylene oxide is a highly toxic flammable Chemical compound. This does not apply to imported almonds. ^[11]

Diseases

Main article: List of almond diseases

Pollination

The pollination of California's almonds is the largest annual managed pollination event in the world, with close to one million hives (nearly half of all beehives in the USA) being trucked in February to the almond groves. This article is a list of diseases of Almonds ( Prunus dulcis) Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female Pollination Management is the label for horticultural practices that accomplish or enhance Pollination of a crop to improve yield or quality by understanding of the particular A beehive is in a general sense an enclosed structure in which some species of Honey bees (genus Apis) live and raise their young Much of the pollination is managed by pollination brokers, who contract with migratory beekeepers from at least 38 states for the event. A beekeeper is a person who keeps Honey bees for the purposes of securing commodities such as Honey, Beeswax, Pollen; pollinating Pollination demand is high enough in the Californian Central Valley that bees may be imported from Australia for the February almond bloom. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The Central Valley is a large flat valley that dominates the central portion of the U For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. ^[12]

Sweet and bitter almonds

There are two forms of the plant, one (often with white flowers) producing sweet almonds, and the other (often with pink flowers) producing bitter almonds. Sweet is one of the five Basic tastes and is almost universally regarded as a pleasurable experience Taste (or more formally gustation) is a form of direct Chemoreception and is one of the traditional five Senses The kernel of the former contains a fixed oil and emulsion. As late as the early 20th century the oil was used internally in medicine, with the stipulation that it must not be adulterated with that of the bitter almond; it remains fairly popular in alternative medicine, particularly as a carrier oil in aromatherapy, but has fallen out of prescription among doctors. The term alternative medicine, as used in the modern western world encompasses any healing practice "that does not fall within the realm of conventional Medicine. Carrier oil, also known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute Essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin Aromatherapy is a form of Alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials known as Essential oils (EOs and other aromatic compounds from plants for

The bitter almond is rather broader and shorter than the sweet almond, and contains about 50% of the fixed oil which also occurs in sweet almonds. It also contains the enzyme emulsin which, in the presence of water, acts on a soluble glucoside, amygdalin, yielding glucose, cyanide and the essential oil of bitter almonds, which is nearly pure benzaldehyde. Solubility is the characteristic Physical property referring to the ability of a given substance the Solute, to dissolve in a Solvent. A glucoside is a Glycoside that is derived from Glucose. Glucosides are common in plants but rare in animals Amygdalin (from Greek: grc-Latn amygdálē “almond” C20H27NO11 is a Glycoside initially isolated from the seeds Glucose (Glc a Monosaccharide (or simple Sugar) also known as grape sugar, is an important Carbohydrate in Biology. A cyanide is any Chemical compound that contains the cyano group (C≡N which consists of a Carbon Atom triple-bonded to a An essential oil is a concentrated Hydrophobic Liquid containing volatile Aroma compounds from Plants They are also known as volatile Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO is a chemical compound consisting of a Benzene ring with an Aldehyde substituent Bitter almonds may yield from 6 to 8% of hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is a Chemical compound with Chemical formula HCN Extract of bitter almond was once used medicinally, but even in small doses effects are severe and in larger doses can be deadly; the cyanide must be removed before consumption. ^[13]

Culinary uses

While the almond is most often eaten on its own, raw or toasted, it is used in some dishes. It, along with other nuts, is often sprinkled over desserts, particularly sundaes and other ice cream based dishes. It is also used in making baklava and nougat. Baklava is a rich sweet Pastry featured in many Cuisines of the former Ottoman, Arab, and Iranian countries Nougat (pronounced /ˈnuːˌɡət/; /ˡnuːgɑː/) is a term used to describe a variety of similar Confectioneries made with Sugar or Honey There is also almond butter, a spread similar to peanut butter, popular with peanut allergy sufferers and for its less salty taste. Almond butter is a food paste similar to Peanut butter, except that it is made from Almonds. Peanut butter is a food paste made primarily from ground roasted Peanuts with or without added oil Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. The young, developing fruit of the almond tree can also be eaten as a whole ("green almonds"), when it is still green and fleshy on the outside, and the inner shell has not yet hardened. The fruit is somewhat sour, and is available only from mid April to mid June; pickling or brining extends the fruit's shelf life. A popular snack in parts of the Middle East, they're eaten dipped in salt to balance the sour taste.

The sweet almond itself contains practically no carbohydrates and may therefore be made into flour for cakes and cookies for low carbohydrate diets or for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus or any other form of glycosuria. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Diabetes mellitus (ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz or /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtəs/ /məˈlaɪtəs/ or /ˈmɛlətəs/ often referred to simply as diabetes ( Ancient Greek: grc Glycosuria or glucosuria is an abnormal condition of Osmotic Diuresis due to excretion of Glucose by the kidneys

A standard serving of almond flour, 1 cup, contains 20 grammes of carbohydrates, of which 10 g is dietary fibre, for a net of 10 g of carbohydrate per cup. Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that move food through the Digestive system, absorbing water and easing Defecation. This makes almond flour very desirable for use in cake and bread recipes by people on carbohydrate-restricted diets.

In Greece, ground blanched almonds are used as the base material in a great variety of desserts, usually called amygdalota (αμυγδαλωτά). Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Blanching (also spelled blenching) is a cooking term that describes a process of Food preparation wherein the food substance usually a vegetable or fruit is plunged Because of their white colour, most are traditionally considered "wedding sweets" and are served at wedding banquets.

Almonds can be processed into a milk substitute simply called almond milk; the nut's soft texture, mild flavour, and light colouring (when skinned) make for an efficient analog to dairy, and a soy-free choice, for lactose intolerant people, vegans, and so on. Almond milk is a milky drink made from ground Almonds Unlike animal Milk, almond milk contains no Cholesterol or Lactose and can be used Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize Lactose, a sugar found in Milk and other Dairy products because the required enzyme Raw, blanched, and lightly toasted almonds all work well for different production techniques, some of which are very similar to that of soymilk and some of which actually use no heat, resulting in "raw milk" (see raw foodism). Soy milk (also called soya milk, soybean milk, or soy juice) and sometimes referred to as soy drink/beverage is a beverage made from Raw foodism (or rawism) is a lifestyle promoting the consumption of un- cooked, un- processed, and often Organic foods as a large percentage

Sweet almonds are used in marzipan, nougat, and macaroons, as well as other desserts. For the character in the animated internet cartoon see Homestar Runner. Nougat (pronounced /ˈnuːˌɡət/; /ˡnuːgɑː/) is a term used to describe a variety of similar Confectioneries made with Sugar or Honey Macaroons are Cookies or Confections, or crosses between the two depending on where they are made Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E, containing 24 mg per 100 g. See also Tocopherol, Tocotrienol Vitamin E is the collective name for a set of 8 related Tocopherols and Tocotrienols which are fat-soluble ^[14] They are also rich in monounsaturated fat, one of the two "good" fats responsible for lowering LDL cholesterol. For discussion how dietary fats affect cardiovascular health see Diet and heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein ( LDL) is a type of Lipoprotein that transports Cholesterol and Triglycerides from the Liver to peripheral

The Marcona variety of almond, which is shorter, rounder, sweeter, and more delicate in texture than other varieties, originated in Spain and is becoming popular in North America and other parts of the world. ^[15] Marcona almonds are traditionally served after being lightly fried in oil, and are also used by Spanish chefs to prepare a dessert called turrón. Turrón ( Spanish) torró ( Catalan) or torrone ( Italian) is a Nougat confection typically made of Honey, sugar

In China, almonds are used in a popular dessert when they are mixed with milk and then served hot. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National In Indian cuisine, almonds are the base ingredient for pasanda-style curries. Pasanda is a popular North Indian and Pakistani Meat dish derived from a meal served in the Court of the Moghul Emperors Curry is the English description of any of a general variety of spicy dishes best known in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan

Almond oil

"Oleum Amygdalae", the fixed oil, is prepared from either variety of almond and is a glyceryl oleate, with a slight odour and a nutty taste. It is almost insoluble in alcohol but readily soluble in chloroform or ether. Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane and methyl trichloride, is a Chemical compound with formula C[[Hydrogen H]] Cl Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear colorless and highly Flammable liquid with a low Boiling point and a It may be used as a substitute for olive oil. Olive oil is a fruit oil obtained from the olive ( Olea europaea; family Oleaceae along with Lilacs Jasmine and ash trees

The sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernel of the plant. A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored This oil has been traditionally used by massage therapists to lubricate the skin during a massage session, being considered by many to be an effective emollient. Emollients are substances that soften and soothe the Skin. They are used to correct dryness and scaling of the skin

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil

Pressed from the edible nut kernels, sweet almond oil is an excellent skin-softening oil used for centuries. It is a mild, lightweight oil, rich in unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids which is easily absorbed into the skin. Used to make many natural skin care products.

Almond syrup

Historically, almond syrup was an emulsion of sweet and bitter almonds usually made with barley syrup (orgeat syrup) or in a syrup of orange-flower water and sugar. An emulsion ( IPA: /ɪˈmʌlʃən/ is a mixture of two Immiscible (unblendable liquids Orgeat syrup is a sweet Syrup made from Almonds, Sugar and Rose water or orange -flower water Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose.

The Grocer's Encyclopedia (1911) notes that "Ten parts of sweet almonds are generally employed to three parts of bitter almonds"; however, due to the cyanide found in bitter almonds, modern syrups generally consist of only sweet almonds. The Grocer's Encyclopedia ( New York, 1911 is a book about the growing preparation and marketing of foods written by Artemas Ward. A cyanide is any Chemical compound that contains the cyano group (C≡N which consists of a Carbon Atom triple-bonded to a

Possible health benefits

Edgar Cayce, a man regarded as the father of American holistic medicine, also highly favoured the almond. Edgar Cayce ( March 18, 1877 &ndash January 3, 1945) (ˈkeɪsiː was an American psychic. Holistic health is a Philosophy of medical care that views physical and mental aspects of life as closely interconnected and equally important approaches to treatment In his readings, Cayce often recommended that almonds be included in the diet. This article is primarily about the human diet For a discussion of animal diets see List of feeding behaviours. Claimed health benefits include improved complexion, improved movement of food through the colon and the prevention of cancer. Complexion refers to the natural color texture and appearance of the Skin, especially that of the face The colon is a storage tube for solid wastes The main function of the colon appears to be extraction of Water and salts from Feces. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled ^[16] Recent research associates the inclusion of almonds in the diet with elevating the blood levels of high density lipoproteins and of lowering the levels of low density lipoproteins. High-density lipoproteins ( HDL) is one of the 5 major groups of Lipoproteins ( Chylomicrons, VLDL, IDL, LDL, HDL Low-density lipoprotein ( LDL) is a type of Lipoprotein that transports Cholesterol and Triglycerides from the Liver to peripheral ^[17][18]

A controlled trial showed that 73g of almonds in the daily diet reduced LDL cholesterol by as much as 9. 4%, reduced the LDL:HDL ratio by 12. 0%, and increased HDL-cholesterol (i. e. , the good cholesterol) by 4. 6%. ^[19][20]

In Ayurveda, an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent, almond is considered a nutritive for brain and nervous system. Ayurveda ( Devanāgarī: आयुर्वॆद the 'science of life' is a system of Traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia For geopolitical treatments see South Asia. It is said to induce high intellectual level and longevity. Almond oil is called Roghan Badam in both Ayurveda and Unani Tibb (the Greco-Persian System of Medicine). It is extracted by cold process and is considered a nutritive aphrodisiac both for massage and internal consumption. Recent studies have shown that the constituents of almond have anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects. ^[21]

Cultural aspects

The almond is highly revered in some cultures.

The tree grows in Syria and Palestine, and is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. The Hebrew name, שָׁקֵד "shaked", means industrious or vigilant, which is appropriate, as the almond is one of the first trees to flower in Israel, usually in early February, coinciding with Tu Bishvat, the Jewish arbor day.

In ancient Israel, the almond was a symbol of watchfulness and promise due to its early flowering, symbolizing God's sudden and rapid punishment of His people; in Jeremiah 1:11-12, for instance. Jeremiah ( jirmɛ'jahu; Septuagint Greek: Ἰερεμίας was one of the 'greater prophets ' of the Hebrew Bible. In the Bible the almond is mentioned ten times, beginning with Book of Genesis 43:11, where it is described as "among the best of fruits". Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin In Numbers 17 Levi is chosen from the other tribes of Israel by Aaron's rod, which brought forth almond flowers. The Book of Numbers, ( Bamidbar, meaning in the wilderness) is the fourth book of the Torah, the Tanakh, and the Old Testament. This article discusses the Biblical patriarch See Levi Strauss for the inventor of jeans Levites for the Biblical tribe or Matthew the Evangelist Aaron's rod refers to any of the staffs carried by Moses ' brother Aaron, in the Old Testament. According to tradition, the rod of Aaron bore sweet almonds on one side and bitter on the other; if the Israelites followed the Lord, the sweet almonds would be ripe and edible, but if they were to forsake the path of the Lord, the bitter almonds would predominate. The almond blossom supplied a model for the menorah which stood in the Holy Temple, "Three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, were on one branch, with a knob and a flower; and three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, were on the other. Pekiin tabletjpg|thumb|right|151px| Second Temple period stone tablet from a Synagogue in Peki'in, Israel. Etymology The Hebrew name given in Scripture for the building is Beit HaMikdash or "The Holy House" and only the Temple in Jerusalem is referred to by this name . . on the candlestick itself were four cups, shaped like almond blossoms, with its knobs and flowers" (Exodus 25:33-34; 37:19-20). Exodus ( Greek: έξοδος eksodos = "departure" is the second book of the Jewish Torah and of the Christian Old Testament. Similarly, Christian symbolism often uses almond branches as a symbol of the Virgin Birth of Jesus; paintings often include almonds encircling the baby Jesus and as a symbol of Mary. The virgin birth of Jesus is a religious Tenet of Christianity and Islam which holds that Mary miraculously conceived Jesus while The Child Jesus, or Divine Infant, represents the infant Jesus until to the age of twelve

The word "Luz", which appears in Genesis 30:37, is usually translated as "hazel", but some believe it is another name for the almond (Luz in Arabic means Almonds). LUZ may refer to University of Zulia Larger Urban Zones (LUZ in the European Union See also The hazels ( Corylus) are a genus of Deciduous Trees and large Shrubs native to the temperate northern hemisphere In India, consumption of almonds is believed to be good for the brain, while the Chinese consider it a symbol of enduring sadness and female beauty. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National

Etymology

The word "almond" comes from Old French almande or alemande, late Latin amandola, derived through a form amingdola from the Greek αμυγδαλη (cf Amygdala), an almond. The la amygdalae ( Latin, also la corpus amygdaloideum, singular la amygdala, from Greek el αμυγδαλή grc-Latn amygdalē, 'almond' The al- for a- may be due to a confusion with the Arabic article al, the word having first dropped the a- as in the Italian form mandorla; the British pronunciation ah-mond and the modern Catalan ametlla and modern French amande show a form of the word closer to the original.

See also

• Almond milk, a milky drink made from ground almonds, similar to soy milk
• Almond Biscuit
• Almond Joy, a candy bar
• Fruit trees
• Fruit tree forms
• Fruit tree propagation
• List of edible seeds
• Marzipan
• Nougat
• Pruning fruit trees
• Turrón, a nougat-like Spanish dessert made from almonds
• History and Tradition of Jordan Almonds

References

External links

• The Almond Board of California
• The Almond Board of California - fact sheet
• "Almonds Are In" Health and Nutrition site (The Almond Board of California)
• "More Facts and History"
• Photo gallery - The Almond Tree And Its Beautiful Blossom

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