Almond
It needs reasonable soil drainage. It is suited to areas with a long, hot dry summer. In India it grows in cool areas in Kashmir. The area needs to be free of frosts and hail in the spring. In India they grow between 700-2,300 m altitude. Some varieties have lower chilling requirements.
Also known as:
Badam, Badam vittulu, Badami, Vadamkottai, Vatam-kotta
Synonyms
- Amygdalus communis Linn.
- See Prunus dulcis
Edible Portion
- Nuts, Flavouring
Where does Almond grow?
Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, China, Europe, Greece, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Mediterranean, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, PNG, North Africa, Philippines, SE Asia, Turkey
Notes: There are about 200 Prunus species. Prunus dulcis is the correct name for sweet almond.
Status: Introduced to Papua New Guinea but no other information.
Growing Almond
Cultivation: Seeds grow more quickly if chilled in a fridge for 2 weeks then planted in warm damp sand (26°C). Trees often need to be pollinated by another kind of almond. A spacing of 6-7 m is used and a pollinator variety used every 3 rows. Bees assist in pollination. Usually trees are trained to have 3-4 branches around a central leader. Fruit are produced on 5 year old spurs and these spurs can remain fruitful for 5-6 years.
Edible Uses: The kernels of the nuts are eaten.
Production: Trees commence fruiting after 3-4 years. Trees can live for 50 years on their own rootstock. Almonds are ready for picking when the fruit change from green to yellow. Yields of up to 600-750 kg of nuts per hectare are achieved.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | 559 | 16.9 | 4.2 | 0 | Tr | 3.1 | 4.7 |
References
Ali-Shtayeh, M. S., et al, 2008, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 4: 13 (As Amygdalis communis)
Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 493
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 840
French, B.R., 1986, Food Plants of Papua New Guinea, A Compendium. Asia Pacific Science Foundation p 195
Glowinski, L., 1999, The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. Lothian. p 87
Gouldstone, S., 1983, Growing your own Food-bearing Plants in Australia. Macmillan p 134
Hinnawi, N. S. A., 2010, An ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in the Northern West Bank "Palestine". An-Najah National University. p 97 (As Amygdalus communis)
Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 36
Krishen P., 2006, Trees of Delhi, A Field Guide. DK Books. p 66
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 199
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 66
Morley, B. & Everard, B., 1970, Wild Flowers of the World. Ebury press. Plate 45
Mulherin, J., 1994, Spices and natural flavourings. Tiger Books, London. p 108
Senkardes, I & Tuzlaci, E., 2016, Wild Edible Plants of Southern Part of Nevsehir inTurkey. Marmara Pharmaceutical Journal 20:34-43 (As Amygdalus communis)
Sfikas, G., 1984, Trees and shrubs of Greece. Efstathiadis Group. Athens. p 72
Sharma, B.B., 2005, Growing fruits and vegetables. Publications Division. Ministry of Information and broadcasting. India. p 1 (As Amygdalus communis)
Watkins, R., 1979, Cherry, plum, peach, apricot and almond, in Simmonds, N.W., (ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 242