Almond

Almond trees can grow up to 10 metres tall and typically begin bearing fruit after about five years. They flower early, often between January and March depending on the climate, and are renowned for their beautiful pink or white blossoms.

The almond fruit is a drupe, with the edible almond being the seed. Harvest usually takes place in late summer. The fruits are shaken from the trees using machines and left to dry on the ground before being collected, cleaned, and packaged.

Uses and Sustainability

More almonds are consumed today than ever before. They are widely used in cooking and baking, and almond oil is extracted by pressing the kernels and used in both cosmetics and food products.

Almond trees were introduced to the Americas by Spanish missionaries, and today around 80% of the world's almonds are produced in California, particularly in the Central Valley. However, almond cultivation is highly water-intensive. It is estimated that about 4 litres of water are required to produce a single almond. During dry years, groundwater is increasingly used for irrigation, raising concerns about water scarcity and the long-term sustainability of almond production.