The almond 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.
The fruit of the almond consists of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed inside. Shelling almonds refers to removing the hard shell.
Almonds are commonly sold shelled or unshelled. Blanched or White almonds are shelled almonds from which the seed coat has been removed.
Uses of almond:-
Almond is often eaten on its own, raw or toasted, it is also an important component of various other dishes.
Almonds are available in many forms, such as whole, sliced (flaked, slivered), and as almond butter, almond syrup, 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 many pastries, cookies and cakes and other sweets and desserts.
They are also used to make almond butter. The young green almonds can be eaten whole when the inner shell has not yet hardened.
They may be pickled in increase their shelf life. The sour fruit may be eaten dipped in salt to balance the sour taste.
In China almonds are mixed with milk and served hot as a dessert.
In Greece, ground blanched almonds are used as the base material in a great variety of desserts.
Blanched almonds are used to make traditional wedding sweets.
A tasty soft drink is made from almonds. Various drinks made from almond are supposed to have cooling properties. ‘Sherbet-e-Badaam’ is a popular summer drink.
Almonds are also sold as a snack with added salt. Badam Halwa is a very popular sweet made with almonds, ghee and sugar.
Almonds milk is a new option for the vegans and people with milk allergy.
Marcona almonds from Spain which are shorter, rounder and sweeter have become popular all over the world.
Tastes, flavours and benefits 