Almond trees in their full splendour |
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Almond from landscapes to recipes
Almond trees and the nuts they bear are an integral part of life in Andalucia. While the countryside is dotted with almond groves, kitchens throughout the region make use of creamy almonds for soups, meat dishes, pastries and seasonal treats.
Almond Grove Landscapes
Almond trees add a special charm to the landscapes of Andalucia - there are over 150,000 hectares of the trees in total, many in the Axarquia region of Malaga province and around the Sierra Subbetica in Cordoba.
Almond recipes
The use of almonds in local cuisine is a centuries old custom in Andalucia. Almonds are easily available in supermarkets throughout the region, but you might also enjoy shopping for them at local farmers markets where you can buy them either fresh off the tree or roasted. If you’re looking for chopped or ground almonds, these are usually located in the pastry decoration section of your local supermarket. Spanish recipes that use almonds as one of the primary ingredients include Almond Turron Recipe and Almond Soup Recipe. More >
Guaro
Guaro is a modest white village on the edge of the Sierra de las Nieves natural park. Thanks to its elevated position, at over 350 metres above sea level, the village offers privileged views across the surrounding countryside. Some of the best vistas are from its 16th century church of San Miguel, found at the top of the village’s narrow, winding streets. More >
Almond trees were domesticated as far back as 3,000 BC and have been part of Mediterranean culture for millennia. Approximately 1.7 million tons of almonds are produced every year around the… More →
Their willowy, wispy branches and strong trunks grace hillsides and craggy cliffside areas, while the pink and white colours of their blossom, from late January to mid-February, cover the… More →
Guaro is a modest white village on the edge of the Sierra de las Nieves natural park. Thanks to its elevated position, at over 350 metres above sea level, the village offers privileged views… More →
In addition to containing high levels of Vitamin E (24 mg/110g) and healthy monounsaturated fats, almonds provide a wonderful alternative for people with a variety of allergies, intolerances and… More →
Almond production
Andalusian farmers are very proud of their Almond crop. Despite being the primary producer of almonds in the European Union, Spain is grappling with this problem. California almonds, which comprise 80% of the world's production, are frequently passed off as Spanish almonds. They are campaigning to the EU for a certification to differentiate Spanish almonds from those imported from other place such as California.
Cooperatives across Andalucia, such as the Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza Almendrera del Sur (Almensur), are promoting the consumption of domestic almonds. Some distribution companies are exploiting imprecise regulations by failing to disclose the origin of Almonds. While the European Union mandates the origin labeling for fruits and vegetables, no such requirement exists for dried fruits and nuts.
Almonds are a highly sought-after during the run up Christmas, as they are a key component in many popular products, including nougat, polvorones, and mantecados.
Californian almonds are increasingly popular in the domestic market due to their affordable price of below 4 euros. Although Andalusia is expected to generate 30 million kilos of almond kernels in 2024, and Spain is expected to reach 100 million kilos. North America's production capacity is 1,400 million kilos per year.
Despite being the largest producer of almonds in the European Union, the sector is increasingly worried about the rise in sales of imported almonds from the United States, which are being falsely marketed as a domestic product and are subject to imprecise regulations. California almonds represent 80% of the European Union's almond production.