It is believed that the almond nut originated in Central Asia and China.
Explorers traveling between Asia and the Meditteranean ate almonds and soon
almond trees were growing in Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Italy.
The almond was first brought to California by Franciscan Padres, in the
1700's. Because the coastal weather conditions were not condusive to the
growing of almond trees the endeaver failed. Almond trees were planted once
again in California in the 1800's. The weather,inland, proved to be much
more condusive to the almond tree and the trees flourished. By the later
1800's several of today's almond varieties were created. These varieties
include the California,Carmel, Mission,Nonpareil, and the Price. Almonds
were used as a special addition to breads served to Egyptian pharaohs.
In Roman times almonds were thrown on newley married couples to improve
fertility. Today newleyweds give candy almonds to their guests. This gesture
represents happiness,good fortune, good health, and children.




California  is the only state in the United States that comercially produces  
almonds. More than 450,000 acres of rich and fertile soil in the Sacramento
and San Joaquin Valleys produce California almonds.
Approximately 6000 almond nut growers produce the almond supply for the
entire United States and also 70% of the world's supply. Although the U.S.
continues to be the world's largest consumer of the almond, foreign
countries are steadily increasing their consumption of this nut. Over 90
countries import and consume California almonds.


Almonds are the 7th largest food export from the U.S. Over 70% of the 1997
California almond crop was exported to various foreign countries.Some of
the major importers of almonds are are England, Canada, India, Spain,
France, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands.Germany and Japan lead
consequtively with 25% and 12% of foreign consumption.