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The famous scholar and physician Maimonides praised almonds, saying that they were the finest of fruits. Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts. They are low in saturated fat and contain many other protective nutrients – calcium and magnesium, vitamin E and compounds called phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Almonds are high in fat, but in the form of monounsaturated fats, which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease. They have been linked in scientific studies with reduction of cholesterol levels in humans. |
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Have you ever eaten an almond off a tree in the forest? In many cases you will spit it out fast because of its bitter taste. What makes almonds bitter? They contain a substance called amygdalin which turns into prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) when the almond is crushed or chewed. Fifty such almonds can kill an adult. So how is it that not only do we eat almonds all the time, but they are considered healthy and nutritious? The almond is native to the Mediterranean region in the Middle East, and is believed to be one of the earliest domesticated plants – and domesticated almonds contain no amygdaline. Almond trees can be grown from seeds, and one theory has it that a common mutation causes an absence of amygdaline and this mutant was grown by early farmers, possibly even before the introduction of grafting, which is the main method used today to grow cultivated almonds. Domesticated almonds first appeared in the Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 BC) of the Near East, or possibly a little earlier. |
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Almond trees are deciduous, which means they shed their leaves in autumn, before winter. But they bloom early in Israel’s native woodlands, even before their leaves sprout. Almonds in the wild are usually bitter, but they serve as rootstock for grafting domesticated almonds. The bitter taste along with its toxic properties serves to prevent it being consumed by wildlife. Almonds have been grown for centuries in Israel, and in areas such as the Judean Mountains many abandoned groves that still produce fruit exist. |
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Almonds are tasty on their own, raw or toasted, and also used widely in cooking. They are available whole, sliced and as almond butter, milk or oil. Marzipan, nougat and macaroons are only a few of the sweets prepared from almonds. In some parts of the Middle East young fruit before it ripens, while still green and fleshy, “green almonds”, are a popular snack. |
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The almond is mentioned in the Bible and Talmud. When Jacob sent a gift to Joseph in Egypt he told his sons: “If it be so now, do this: take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spicery and ladanum, nuts, and almonds.” Genesis 43, 11. When G-d wanted to show that he had chosen Aaron and the tribe of Levi to fulfill the priestly duties in the Tabernacle, he had each of the tribes bring a staff to the Tabernacle: “And it shall come to pass, that the man whom I shall choose, his rod shall bud; and I will make to cease from Me the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you.” Moses did as he was told and “… behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and put forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and bore ripe almonds” Numbers 17, 17-23. |
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