Information about Nuts: Almonds

About almonds, information about the nuts, production, history and uses, origins of the name.

Almonds

The Hebrew word shakad, which means "vigilant" or "awakening," has been acknowledged as the source of the name "almond." Its name is mentioned in the Old Testament 73 times. The oil of the bitter almond is used for medicines. The sweet almond provides protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and the B vitamins. It is high in fat. The hulls are used as feed for livestock along with barley and alfalfa. Although the U.S. is one of the world's largest exporters of almonds, almost half of the almonds consumed in this country are imported from Italy.