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almond

 
almond
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(ä'mənd, äl'-, ôl'-, ăm'ənd) pronunciation
n.
    1. A deciduous tree (Prunus dulcis), native to Asia and northern Africa and having alternate, simple leaves, pink flowers, and leathery fruits.
    2. The ellipsoidal kernel of this tree, either eaten as a nut or used for extraction of an oil for flavoring.
  1. Any of several other plants, such as the Indian almond, especially those with fruits or seeds suggestive of the almond.
  2. Something having the oval form of an almond.
  3. A pale tan.

[Middle English almande, from Old French, from Late Latin amandula, alteration of Latin amygdala, from Greek amugdalē.]


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shelled almond

shelled almond
Prunus amygdalus or Prunus dulcis, Rosaceae

The fruit of the almond tree, a tree probably originally from Asia and northern Africa and belonging to the same family as the peach tree. The almond is made up of an oval seed (kernel) nestled in a shell. This shell is enclosed in a fibrous and leathery green-colored casing (the shuck), which bursts open at maturity. 

Almonds are divided into two groups.
The bitter almond often contains various less toxic substances. An essential oil is extracted from the bitter almond, which is treated to eliminate the toxic elements and used as a flavoring agent (almond essence) as well as in the making of liqueurs.
The sweet almond is usually eaten dried. It is edible fresh, when it is green and its shell is firm but still tender.

Buying

Choose: unshelled almonds with intact shells and shelled almonds sold in vacuum-sealed glass jars, cans or sealed bags. 

Almonds are sold in various forms: shelled or unshelled, whole, in pieces, sliced or slivered, chopped, ground, plain, roasted, with their brown skin or blanched, salted, smoked, sugared, sugar-coated or chocolate coated, as a butter or oil, or as a sweetened or unsweetened paste.

Preparing

To blanch almonds, plunge them in boiling water and let them soak 2-3 min, until their skin puffs up. Drain the almonds, run them under cold water to cool them, remove the skins by pinching the almond between thumb and forefinger, then dry or roast the almonds.

Serving Ideas

Almonds are used in cereal, salads, cakes, cookies, pastries, ice cream 
and sweets.

Whole, split or finely ground, almonds work well with fish and chicken. 

They can also be made into a paste (marzipan), which is used for decorating cakes and making candies, and in chocolate fillings. Almonds are eaten as a snack or appetizer, by themselves or with dried fruit, seeds and other nuts. 

Ground almonds are made into a creamy butter that is used as a spread or to flavor sauces, soups and stews. This butter has a much milder flavor than peanut butter. 

Almond milk perfumes various dishes, and is the main ingredient in orgeat syrup, a syrup flavored with orange flowers that is diluted with water to make a refreshing drink.

Dry-ground almonds are used in stuffings and as an ingredient in desserts. 

Various sweets are made from almonds, such as dragées (sugared almonds), pralines, nougat and filled chocolates.

An edible oil is extracted from sweet almonds; this oil, which must not be heated, is mainly used in salads, but also for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and massage-therapeutic purposes. 

Almond essence flavors numerous foods, such as cakes, cookies, flans, pies, puddings and drinks. It also flavors Amaretto, a delicious Italian liqueur.

Storing

At room temperature: 1 year, shelled, in an airtight container protected from sunlight and humidity.

In the fridge: shelled, 6 months.

In the freezer: shelled or unshelled, 1 year.

Cooking

Almonds can be roasted whole, in pieces or sliced, blanched or unblanched.

Dry-roasted in the oven: heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the almonds on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Cook them, moving them about from time to time until they are evenly roasted or golden. Remove the almonds from the oven and transfer them to another container to cool.

Oil-roasted in the oven: proceed as for dry-roasting, heating the oven to 300°F-350°F (150°C-175°C) and coating the almonds with a small amount of oil.

Roasted in a pan on the stove-top: dry-roast the almonds in a nonstick frying pan or with a small quantity of oil. Cook over a medium heat and stir the almonds continuously.

Nutritional Information

dried and unblanched
water4.4%
protein9.9 g
fat26 g
carbohydrates10.2 g
fiber3.4 g
calories298
per 1.8 oz/50 g
Sweet almond

Excellent source: magnesium 
and potassium.

Good source: phosphorus, riboflavin, copper, niacin and zinc.

Contains: folic acid, iron, calcium 
and thiamine.

Its fats are made up of 86% unsaturated fatty acids (65% monounsaturated fatty acids and 21% polyunsaturated fatty acids). 

Properties: mineralizing. Almond milk is said to be effective against intestinal and stomach inflammations. 

Almond oil is said to encourage the elimination of gallstones and, used externally, the healing of burns and split skin as well as soothing dry skin.



whole almond

whole almond

almonds

almonds




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Tree (Prunus dulcis) in the rose family, native to South Asia; also its edible seed, or nut. The tree, growing somewhat larger and living longer than the peach, is strikingly beautiful when in flower. The nuts are either sweet or bitter. Sweet almonds are the edible type consumed as nuts and used in cooking. The extracted oil of bitter almonds is used to make flavouring extracts for foods and liqueurs. Almonds provide small amounts of protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and B vitamins and are high in fat. They are commonly used in confectionery baking and in marzipan, a traditional European candy.

For more information on almond, visit Britannica.com.

A small deciduous tree, Prunus amygdalus (also known as P. dulcis or Amygdalus communis), closely related to the peach and other stone fruits and grown widely for its edible seeds. Almonds are of two general types: the bitter type is a source of prussic acid and flavoring extracts, and the sweet type has various food uses. Almond kernels contain approximately 50% fat or oil, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrate, and a variety of minerals and vitamins. See also Rosales.

In the United States, commercial production is limited to California. Spain is the second leading producer, but the amount produced is about one-half that of the United States. Italy has historically been a leading producer, primarily from the Bari and Sicily areas, but production has declined sharply.

Almonds are used in a variety of products. Some are roasted whole and salted to be used as snacks. Others are blanched (the skin is removed) by steam and subjected to slicing, dicing, or halving. These may be roasted, and go into products such as candy bars, bakery products, ice cream, and almond paste, among many other uses.


A nut, the seeds of Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis. All varieties contain the glycoside amygdalin, which forms hydrogen cyanide when the nuts are crushed. The bitter almond, used for almond oil, (P. amygdalus var. amara) may yield dangerous amounts of cyanide.

A 60-g portion (36 nuts) is a rich source of protein, copper, niacin, and vitamins B2, E; a good source of iron and zinc; a source of vitamin B1; contains 35 g of fat, of which 10% is saturated and 70% mono-unsaturated; provides 8.4 g of dietary fibre; supplies 370 kcal (1550 kJ).

The kernel of the almond-tree fruit, grown extensively in California, the Mediterranean, Australia and South Africa. There are two main types of almonds-sweet and bitter. The flavor of sweet almonds is delicate and slightly sweet. They're readily available in markets and, unless otherwise indicated, are the variety used in recipes. The more strongly flavored bitter almonds contain traces of lethal prussic acid when raw. Though the acid's toxicity is destroyed when the nuts are heated, the sale of bitter almonds is illegal in the United States. Processed bitter almonds are used to flavor extracts, liqueurs and orgeat syrup. The kernels of apricot and peach pits have a similar flavor and the same toxic effect (destroyed by heating) as bitter almonds. Almonds are available blanched or not, whole, sliced, chopped, candied, smoked, in paste form and in many flavors. Toasting almonds before using in recipes intensifies their flavor and adds crunch. Almonds are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with calcium, fiber, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin and vitamin E. See also almond extract; almond oil; almond paste; jordan almond; nuts.

almond, name for a small tree (Prunus amygdalus) of the family Rosaceae (rose family) and for the nutlike, edible seed of its drupe fruit. The "nuts" of sweet-almond varieties are eaten raw or roasted and are pressed to obtain almond oil. Bitter-almond varieties also yield oil, from which the poisonous prussic acid is removed in the extraction process. Almond oil is used for flavoring, in soaps and cosmetics, and medicinally as a demulcent. The tree, native to central Asia and perhaps the Mediterranean, is now cultivated principally in the Middle East, Italy, Spain, Greece, and (chiefly the sweet varieties) California, which now produces over 70% of the world crop. It closely resembles the peach, of which it may be an ancestor, except that the fruit is fleshless. The flowering almonds (e.g., P. triloba) are pink- to white-blossomed shrubs also native to central Asia; like the similar and closely related pink-blossomed almond, they are widely cultivated as ornamentals. Several Asian types are known as myrobalan, a name applied also to the cherry plum, with which flowering almonds are sometimes hybridized. The beauty of the almond in bud, blossom, and fruit gave motif to sacred and ornamental carving. In the Middle East the tree breaks into sudden bloom in January, and in some of the region it has come to symbolize beauty and revival. The rod of Aaron in the Bible (see Aaron's-rod) bore almonds. Almonds are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.


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IN BRIEF: Nut-like stones or kernels of the fruit of a certain tree.

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Source: Sweet almond Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb (syn. Prunus amygdalus Batsch var. dulcis (DC.) Koehne). Bitter almond Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb var. amara (DC.) H. E. Moore (syn. Prunus amygdalus Batsch var. amara (DC.) Focke) (Family Rosaceae).

The almond tree, Prunus dulcis, is also known as P. communis (L.) Arcang, Amygdalus dulcis Mill., and A. communis L., in addition to the above synonyms. It grows to a height of about 7 m and has several varieties; two of them, var. dulcis and amara, yield sweet and bitter almonds, respectively. The tree is native to western Asia and is now extensively cultivated in the Mediterranean countries and in California. The fruit is botanically classified as a drupe (same as peach or plum), except that its outer portion is leathery, not fleshy and edible like the peach; the almond is its seed.

Sweet almonds are used as food, but bitter almonds are not; this is due to the presence of amygdalin in bitter almonds that can be hydrolyzed to yield deadly hydrocyanic acid (HCN).

Two major types of products are derived from the almond, namely a fixed oil and a volatile oil. The fixed oil is commonly called almond oil, expressed almond oil, or sweet almond oil; it is made from both sweet and bitter almonds by pressing the kernels. It does not contain benzaldehyde or HCN.

The volatile oil is called bitter almond oil. It is obtained by water maceration and subsequent steam distillation of the expressed and partially deoleated bitter almonds or kernels of other Prunus species that contain amygdalin; these species include apricot (P. armeniaca L.), peach (P. persica (L.) Batsch.), and plum (P. domestica L.). During maceration, the enzyme (emulsin) present hydrolyzes the amygdalin into sugar, benzaldehyde, and HCN, the last two being distilled by steam. Sweet almond does not yield a volatile oil.

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prunus amygdalus.

  • a. oil — used topically as an emollient.
  • a. shells — causes abomasal impaction in stall-fed cattle where the shells are added to the ration as a roughage supplement.
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Almond
Almond tree with ripening fruit. Majorca, Spain.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Amygdalus
Species: P. dulcis
Binomial name
Prunus dulcis
(Mill.) D.A.Webb

The almond (Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus Batsch., Amygdalus communis L., Amygdalus dulcis Mill.), is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree. Within the genus Prunus, it is classified with the peach in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated shell (endocarp) surrounding the seed.

The fruit of the almond is not a true nut, but a drupe, consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed ("nut") inside. Shelling almonds refers to removing the shell to reveal the seed. Almonds are commonly sold shelled (i.e., after the shells are removed), or unshelled (i.e., with the shells still attached). Blanched almonds are shelled almonds that have been treated with hot water to soften the seedcoat, which is then removed to reveal the white embryo.

Contents

Description

Tree

The almond is a small deciduous tree, growing 4–10 metres (13–33 ft) in height, with a trunk of up to 30 centimetres (12 in) in diameter. The young twigs are green at first, becoming purplish where exposed to sunlight, then grey in their second year. The leaves are 3–5 inches long,[1] with a serrated margin and a 2.5 cm (1 in) petiole. The flowers are white or pale pink, 3–5 cm (1–2 in) diameter with five petals, produced singly or in pairs before the leaves in early spring.[2][3]

Almonds begin bearing an economic crop in the third year after planting. Trees reach full bearing after five to six years after planting. The fruit is mature in the autumn, 7–8 months after flowering.[3][4]

Nut

The almond fruit measures 3.5–6 cm (1–2 in) long. In botanical terms it is not a nut, but a drupe. The outer covering or exocarp, fleshy in other members of Prunus such as the plum and cherry, is instead a thick leathery grey-green coat (with a downy exterior), called the hull. Inside the hull is a reticulated hard woody shell (like the outside of a peach pit) called the endocarp. Inside the shell is the edible seed, commonly called a nut. Generally, one seed is present, but occasionally there are two.

Origin and history

The almond is a native to the Mediterranean climate region of the Middle East, eastward as far as the Indus.[5] It was spread by humans in ancient times along the shores of the Mediterranean into northern Africa and southern Europe and more recently transported to other parts of the world, notably California, United States.[5]

A grove of almond trees in central California

The wild form of domesticated almond grows in parts of the Levant; almonds must first have been taken into cultivation in this region. 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."[6]

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".[7] 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".[6] Domesticated almonds appear in the Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 BC) of the Near East, or possibly a little earlier. A well-known archaeological example of the almond is the fruit found in Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt (c. 1325 BC), probably imported from the Levant.[6] Of the European countries that the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh reported as cultivating almonds, Germany[8] is the northernmost, though the domesticated form can be found as far north as Iceland.[9]

Etymology and names

The word "almond" comes from Old French almande or alemande, Late Latin amandola, derived through a form amingdolouhha from the Greek αμυγδαλη (cf amygdala), an almond. The al- in English, for the a- used in other languages may be due 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.

The adjective amygdaloid (literally "like an almond") is used to describe objects which are roughly almond-shaped, particularly a shape which is part way between a rectangle and an ellipse. See, for example, the brain structure amygdala, which uses a direct borrowing of the Greek term.

Production

An almond shaker before and during a harvest of a tree

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; world production of almonds was 1.76 million tonnes in 2006.[10] According to the FAO, major producers are the USA (715,623 t, 41%), Spain (220,000 t, 13%), Syria (119,648 t, 7%), Italy (112,796 t, 6%), Iran (108,677 t, 6%) and Morocco (83,000 t, 5%). Algeria, Tunisia, and Greece each account for 3%, Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, and China each account for 2%.[11] In Turkey, most of the production comes from the Datça Peninsula. In Spain, numerous commercial cultivars of sweet almond are produced, most notably the Jordan almond (imported from Málaga) and the Valencia almond.[citation needed]

In Greece, most of the production comes from the Thessalia, in region of Magnesia at the area of Almyros. The most cultivating types of almonds in Greece are ferragnes and Texas (mission) which are known for their sweet taste and premium quality. Because of its quality, it is used as a luxury nut.

In the United States, production is concentrated in California, with almonds being California's third leading agricultural product and its top agricultural export in 2008. California produces 80% of the world’s almonds[12] and 100% of the U.S. commercial supply. California exported almonds valued at $1.08 billion in 2003, about 70% of total California almond crop.[citation needed]

Almond output in 2005 (circles may not be centered on growing areas within the countries)

[13]

The top 10 almond production countries in 2009 according to FAO in tonnes

  1.  United States of America 1,162,200
  2.  Spain 282,100
  3.  Iran 128,464
  4.  Italy 113,700
  5.  Morocco 104,115
  6.  Syria 97,002
  7.  Tunisia 60,000
  8.  Turkey 54,844
  9.  Algeria 47,393
  10.  Greece 44,273

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. Much of the pollination is managed by pollination brokers, who contract with migratory beekeepers from at least 49 states for the event. This business has been heavily impacted by colony collapse disorder, causing nationwide shortages of honey bees and increasing the price of insect pollination. To alleviate almond growers from the rising cost of insect pollination, researchers at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have developed a new line of self-pollinating almond trees.[14] Self-pollinating almond trees, such as the Tuono almond tree, have been around for a while, but their harvest is not as desirable as the insect-pollinated California Nonpareil almond tree. The Nonpareil tree produces large, smooth almonds and offer 60–65% edible kernel per nut. The Tuono, on the other hand, has thicker, hairier shells and offers only 32% of edible kernel per nut. However, there are advantages to having a thick shell. The Tuono’s shell protects the nut from threatening pests such as the navel orangeworm. ARS researchers have managed to cross breed the pest-resistant Tuono tree with California’s attractive Nonpareil tree, resulting in hybridized varieties of almond trees that are self-pollinated and maintain a high quality of nut.[15] The new, self-pollinating almond tree hybrids possess quality skin color, flavor, and oil content, and reduce almond growers’ dependency on insect pollination.[14]

Diseases

Sweet and bitter almonds

Flowering (sweet) almond tree
Blossom on bitter almond tree

The fruit of Prunus dulcis is predominately sweet, but a few bitter almonds may be found on each tree.[16][17][dubious ] The fruits from Prunus dulcis var. amara are always bitter as are the kernels from other Prunus species like apricot, peach and cherry (to a lesser extent).

The bitter almond is slightly broader and shorter than the sweet almond, and contains about 50% of the fixed oil that 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. Bitter almonds may yield from 4–9 mg of hydrogen cyanide per almond.[18][19] 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.[20]

Culinary uses

Smoked and salted 'Marcona' almonds

While the almond is often eaten on its own, raw or toasted, it is also a component of various dishes. Almonds are available in many forms, such as whole, sliced (flaked, slivered), and as almond butter, almond milk and almond oil. These variations can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Along with other nuts, sweet almonds can be sprinkled over desserts, particularly ice cream based dishes. Sweet almonds are used in marzipan, nougat, many pastries (including jesuites), cookies (including French macarons, macaroons), and cakes (including financiers), noghl and other sweets and desserts. They are also used to make almond butter, a spread similar to peanut butter, popular with peanut allergy sufferers and for its less salty taste. The young, developing fruit of the almond tree can be eaten whole ("green almonds") when they are still green and fleshy on the outside and the inner shell has not yet hardened. The fruit is somewhat sour, but is a popular snack in parts of the Middle East, eaten dipped in salt to balance the sour taste. Available only from mid April to mid June (northern hemisphere), pickling or brining extends the fruit's shelf life.

  • In China, almonds are used in a popular dessert where they are mixed with milk and then served hot.
  • In Greece, ground blanched almonds are used as the base material in a great variety of desserts, usually called amygdalota (αμυγδαλωτά). Because of their white colour, most are traditionally considered "wedding sweets" and are served at wedding banquets. In addition, a soft drink known as soumada is made from almonds in various regions.
  • In Iran, green almonds are dipped in sea salt and eaten as snacks on street markets; they are called Chaqalu bâdom.
  • In Italy, the bitter almonds from apricots are the base for amaretti[21][22] (almond macaroons), a common dessert. Traditionally, a low percentage of bitter almonds (10-20%) is added to the ingredients, which gives the cookies their bitter taste (commercially, apricot kernels are used as a substitute for bitter almonds). Almonds are also a common choice as the nuts to include in torrone. In Puglia and Sicily, "pasta di mandorle" (almond paste) is used to make small soft cakes, often decorated with jam, pistacchio or chocolate.
  • In Morocco, almonds in the form of sweet almond paste are the main ingredient in pastry fillings, and several other desserts. Fried blanched whole almonds are also used to decorate sweet tajines such as lamb with prunes. A drink made from almonds mixed with milk is served in important ceremonies such as weddings and can also be ordered in some cafes. Southwestern Berber regions of Essaouira and Souss are also known for "Amlou" a spread made of almond paste, argan oil, and honey. Almond paste is also mixed with toasted flour and among others, honey, olive oil or butter, anise, fennel, sesame seeds, and cinnamon to make "Sellou" (also called "Zamita" in Meknes or "Slilou" in Marrakech), a sweet snack known for its long shelf life and high nutritive value.
  • In India, almonds are the base ingredients of pasanda-style curries. Badam halva is a sweet made from almonds with added coloring. Almond flakes are added to many sweets (such as sohan barfi), and are usually visible sticking to the outer surface.
  • In Pakistan, almonds are the base ingredients of many food items. Meat dishes containing almonds include pasanda-style or Mughalai curries. Badam halva is a sweet made from almonds with added coloring. Almond flakes are added to many sweets (such as sohan barfi), and are usually visible sticking to the outer surface. Almonds form the base of various drinks which are supposed to have cooling properties. Almond sherbet or 'Sherbet-e-Badaam' in Urdu, is a popular summer drink. Almonds are also sold as a snack with added salt.

Almonds can be processed into a milk substitute 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 and vegans. Raw, blanched, and lightly toasted almonds work well for different production techniques, some of which are similar to that of soymilk and some of which use no heat, resulting in "raw milk" (see raw foodism).

The 'Marcona' almond cultivar is recognizably different from other almonds, and is marketed by name.[23] The kernel is short, round, relatively sweet and delicate in texture. It has been grown in Spain for a long time and its origin is unknown; the tree is very productive, the shell of the nut very hard.[23] 'Marcona' almonds are traditionally served after being lightly fried in oil, and are used by Spanish chefs to prepare a dessert called turrón.

Almond flour

Almond flour is often used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour in cooking and baking.[24]

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.

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.

Oils

Almonds contain approximately 49% oils, of which 62% is monounsaturated oleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid), 24% is linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated omega-6 essential fatty acid), and 6% is palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid).[25]

"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. Sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernel of sweet almonds.[citation needed]

The oil is good for application to the skin as an emollient, and has been traditionally used by massage therapists to lubricate the skin during a massage session.[citation needed] It is a mild, lightweight oil that can be used as a substitute for olive oil.[citation needed]

Almond oil is also used as a wood conditioner of certain woodwind instruments, such as the oboe and clarinet.[citation needed]

This Almond oil is used to remove black spots and black marks on the skin.[citation needed]

Nutrition

Almond, nut, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 2,418 kJ (578 kcal)
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
Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.24 mg (21%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.8 mg (67%)
Niacin (vit. B3) 4 mg (27%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.3 mg (6%)
Vitamin B6 0.13 mg (10%)
Folate (vit. B9) 29 μg (7%)
Vitamin C 0.0 mg (0%)
Vitamin E 26.22 mg (175%)
Calcium 248 mg (25%)
Iron 4 mg (31%)
Magnesium 275 mg (77%)
Phosphorus 474 mg (68%)
Potassium 728 mg (15%)
Zinc 3 mg (32%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database

The sweet almond contains about 26% carbohydrates (12% dietary fiber, 6.3% sugars, 0.7% starch and the rest miscellaneous carbohydrates), and may therefore be made into flour for cakes and cookies (biscuits) for low-carbohydrate diets. A standard serving of almond flour, 1 cup, contains 20 grams of carbohydrates, of which 10 g is dietary fiber, for a net of 10 g of carbohydrate per cup. This makes almond flour very desirable for use in cake and bread recipes by people on carbohydrate-restricted diets.

Almonds are a rich source of vitamin E, containing 26 mg per 100 g (Table). They are also rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins, essential minerals and monounsaturated fat (see nutrient table), one of the two "good" fats which potentially may lower LDL cholesterol. Typical of nuts and seeds, almonds also contain phytosterols, associated with cholesterol-lowering properties.

Potential health benefits, which have not been scientifically validated, include improved complexion and possibly a lower risk of cancer.[26] Preliminary research associates consumption of almonds with elevating blood levels of high density lipoproteins and lowering low density lipoproteins.[27][28] A preliminary trial showed that, in spite of the high fat content of almonds, using them in the daily diet might lower several factors associated with heart disease, including cholesterol and blood lipids.[29]

Almonds contain polyphenols in their skins consisting in a combination of flavonols, flavan-3-ols, hydroxybenzoic acids and flavanones[30] analogous to those of certain fruits and vegetables.

Almonds may cause allergy or intolerance. Cross-reactivity is common with peach allergens (lipid transfer proteins) and tree nut allergens. Symptoms range from local symptoms (e.g., oral allergy syndrome, contact urticaria) to systemic symptoms including anaphylaxis (e.g., urticaria, angioedema, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms).[31]

Amino Acids g/100g Nuts
Tryptophan 0.19
Threonine 0.68
Lysine 0.60
Leucine 1.47
Isoleucine 0.69
Methionine 0.19
Cysteine 0.28
Phenylalanine 1.15
Tyrosine 0.53
Valine 0.80
Arginine 2.47
Tyrosine 0.53

Mandatory pasteurization in California

Because of two cases of salmonellosis traced to almonds in 2001 and 2004, the Almond Board of California proposed rules in 2006 regarding pasteurization of almonds available to the public, and the USDA approved them. The almond pasteurization program became mandatory for the California industry on September 1, 2007, and was implemented voluntarily over the previous two years.[32] Since September 1, 2007, raw untreated California almonds have technically not been available in the United States. Controversially, California almonds labeled as "raw" are required to be steam-pasteurized or chemically treated with propylene oxide. This does not apply to imported almonds,[33] or to almonds sold from the grower directly to the consumer in small quantities.[34] Nor is the treatment required for raw almonds sold as exports to countries outside of North America.

This USDA-approved marketing order has been challenged in court by organic farmers organized by the Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based farm policy research group. According to the Cornucopia Institute, this almond marketing order has imposed significant financial burdens on small-scale and organic growers and damaged domestic almond markets. The federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in the spring of 2009 on procedural grounds, but farmers are appealing this decision in August 2009, seeking to have the merits of their arguments heard in court.[35]

Cultural aspects

The almond is highly revered in some cultures. In northern Indian state, Jammu and Kashmir, it is designated as the state tree of Kashmir.[citation needed]

The tree grows in Lebanon, Syria and Israel,[36] and is mentioned numerous times in the Bible.

In the Old Testament, 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. 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". In Numbers 17 Levi is chosen from the other tribes of Israel by Aaron's rod, which brought forth almond flowers. 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...on the candlestick itself were four cups, shaped like almond blossoms, with its knobs and flowers" (Exodus 25:33–34; 37:19–20). 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 word "Luz", which appears in Genesis 30:37, is sometimes translated as "hazel", may actually be derived from the Aramaic name for almond (Luz), and is translated as such in some Bible versions such as the NIV.[37]

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[citation needed].

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ Bailey, L.H.; Bailey, E.Z.; the staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. Macmillan, New York.
  2. ^ Rushforth, Keith (1999). Collins wildlife trust guide trees: a photographic guide to the trees of Britain and Europe. London: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-00-220013-9. 
  3. ^ a b Griffiths, Mark D.; Anthony Julian Huxley (1992). The New Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 0-333-47494-5. 
  4. ^ "University of California Sample Cost Study to Produce Almonds
  5. ^ a b Introduction to Fruit Crops, p. 38, Mark Rieger, 2006
  6. ^ a b c Zohary, Daniel; Maria Hopf (2000). Domestication of plants in the old world: the origin and spread of cultivated plants in West Asia, Europe, and the Nile Valley. Oxford University Press. pp. 186. ISBN 0-19-850356-3. 
  7. ^ Diamond, Jared M. (1997). Guns, germs, and steel: the fates of human societies. New York: W.W. Norton. pp. 118. ISBN 0-393-03891-2. 
  8. ^ "Flora Europaea Search Results". Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. http://193.62.154.38/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Prunus&SPECIES_XREF=dulcis&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK=. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  9. ^ "Prunus dulcis". Plants for a Future. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Prunus+dulcis. Retrieved 2008-07-17. [dead link]
  10. ^ United States Department of Agriculture
  11. ^ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  12. ^ USDA Foreign Agricultural Service 2009/2010 Almond Forecast Overview
  13. ^ http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567#ancor
  14. ^ a b Alfredo Flores. "ARS Scientists Develop Self-pollinating Almond Trees". USDA Agricultural Research Service, April 6, 2010.
  15. ^ "ARS Scientists Develop Self-pollinating Almond Trees". USDA Agricultural Research Service. April 6, 2010. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100406.htm. 
  16. ^ Karl-Franzens-Universität (Graz). "Almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill. D. A. Webb.)"]. http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Prun_dul.html. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  17. ^ "Almond and bitter almond". from Quirk Books: www.quirkbooks.com. http://www.chow.com/ingredients/265. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  18. ^ Karkocha I (January 1973). "[Semiquantitative method of hydrogen cyanide and sweet almonds]" (in Polish). Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny 24 (6): 703–5. PMID 4775628. 
  19. ^ Shragg TA, Albertson TE, Fisher CJ (January 1982). "Cyanide poisoning after bitter almond ingestion". West. J. Med. 136 (1): 65–9. PMC 1273391. PMID 7072244. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1273391. 
  20. ^ Cantor, D., Fleischer, J., Green, J., & Israel, D. L. (2006). The Fruit of the Matter. mental floss 5 (4): 12.
  21. ^ Amaretto Macaroon. "Fine Italian Pastries & Biscotti". http://www.olivetreetrading.com/product-vicenzi.html. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  22. ^ "Vicenzi Amaretto s'Italia (Macaroona)". http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H7K5PQ. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  23. ^ a b Gradziel, T.M. (2011). "Origin and dissemination of Almonds". In J. Janick. Horticultural Reviews, Volume 38. Wiley-Blackwell. 
  24. ^ Amsterdam, Elana (2009). The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook: Breakfasts, Entrees, and More. Random House of Canada. ISBN 158761345X, 9781587613456. 
  25. ^ Search the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference under "Nuts, almonds". Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  26. ^ Davis PA, Iwahashi CK (April 2001). "Whole almonds and almond fractions reduce aberrant crypt foci in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis". Cancer Lett. 165 (1): 27–33. doi:10.1016/S0304-3835(01)00425-6. PMID 11248415. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0304383501004256. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  27. ^ "Almonds: Cholesterol lowering, heart-healthy snack" (Press release). Porter Novelli. September 2002. http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2002/D/20024677.html. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  28. ^ Spiller GA, Jenkins DA, Bosello O, Gates JE, Cragen LN, Bruce B (June 1998). "Nuts and plasma lipids: an almond-based diet lowers LDL-C while preserving HDL-C". J Am Coll Nutr 17 (3): 285–90. PMID 9627917. http://www.jacn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9627917. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  29. ^ Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Marchie A, et al. (September 2002). "Dose response of almonds on coronary heart disease risk factors: blood lipids, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, and pulmonary nitric oxide: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial". Circulation 106 (11): 1327–32. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000028421.91733.20. PMID 12221048. http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/106/11/1327. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  30. ^ Characterization of polyphenols, lipids and dietary fibre from almond skins (Amygdalus communis L.). G. Mandalari, A. Tomaino, T. Arcoraci, M. Martorana, V. Lo Turco, F. Cacciola, G.T. Rich, C. Bisignano, A. Saija, P. Dugo, K.L. Cross, M.L. Parker, K.W. Waldron and M.S. J. Wickham, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Volume 23, Issue 2, March 2010, Pages 166–174, doi:10.1016/j.jfca.2009.08.015
  31. ^ http://www.food-info.net/uk/intol/almond.htm Almond allergy on Food info
  32. ^ "The Food Safety Program & Almond Pasteurization" (Press release). Almond Board of California. 2010-09-17. http://www.almondboard.com/Handlers/FoodQualitySafety/Pasteurization/Pages/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2010-09-17. 
  33. ^ Agricultural Marketing Service (2006-11-08) "Almonds Grown in California: Changes to Incoming Quality Control Requirements" (71 F.R. 65373, 71 F.R. 65374, 71 F.R. 65375 and 71 F.R. 65376)
  34. ^ Burke, Garance (June 29, 2007). "Almond pasteurization rubs some feelings raw". Associated Press. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_/ai_n19343563. Retrieved 23 January 2009. [dead link]
  35. ^ The Authentic Almond Project. The Cornucopia Institute.. http://www.cornucopia.org/almonds/ 
  36. ^ Tubeileh A, Bruggeman A, Turkelboom F (2004). Growing Olives and Other Tree Species in Marginal Arid Environments. ICARDA. http://www.icarda.org/publications/price_list/book3/Book3.html. 
  37. ^ meaning of trees: botany, history, healing, lore by Fred Hageneder, p. 37.

Notations

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 edition of The Grocer's Encyclopedia.

External links


Translations:

Almond

Top

Dansk (Danish)
n. - mandel, mandeltræ

idioms:

  • almond paste    marcipan

Nederlands (Dutch)
amandel(spijs)

Français (French)
n. - amande

idioms:

  • almond paste    pâte d'amandes

Deutsch (German)
n. - Mandel

idioms:

  • almond paste    Marzipan

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αμύγδαλο, αμυγδαλιά

idioms:

  • almond paste    (μαγειρ.) αμυγδαλωτό

Italiano (Italian)
mandorla

idioms:

  • almond paste    marzapane

Português (Portuguese)
n. - amêndoa (f) (Bot.), amendoeira (f) (Bot.)

idioms:

  • almond paste    pasta (f) de amêndoas

Русский (Russian)
миндаль

idioms:

  • almond paste    миндальная паста

Español (Spanish)
n. - almendra

idioms:

  • almond paste    mazapán, pasta de almendras

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - mandel

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
杏核, 杏仁, 杏仁状的东西, 杏树, 杏仁色, 淡黄褐色

idioms:

  • almond paste    杏仁糊

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 杏核, 杏仁, 杏仁狀的東西, 杏樹, 杏仁色, 淡黃褐色

idioms:

  • almond paste    杏仁糊

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 편도나무, 편도선

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - アーモンド

idioms:

  • almond paste    アーモンドペースト
  • sugared almond    糖衣アーモンド

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) لوز‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮שקד, שקדייה‬


 
 

 

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