Almond Varieties in The World

ByAllah Dad Khan

Almond The almond (/ɑːmənd/ or/ɑːlmənd/) (Prunus

dulcis, syn.Prunus amygdalus, Amygdalus communis, Amygdalus dulcis) (or badam in Indian English, from Persian: بادام) is a species of tree native to the Middle Eastand South Asia.

"Almond" is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seedof this tree. Within the genusPrunus, it is classified with thepeach in the subgenusAmygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated shell (endocarp surrounding the seed.

History and Origin The almond is native to

theMediterranean climate region of theMiddle East, eastward as far as theIndus River in Pakistan. In Iran, India and Pakistan, it is known as bādām. It was spread by humans in ancient times along the shores of the Mediterranean into northern Africa, Asia and southern Europe and more recently transported to other parts of the world, notablyCalifornia, United States

Nonpareil Almond Nonpareil has the widest

range of uses among the marketing classifications. Nonpareil are easily blanched (skin is removed) and cut for processed forms. A thin outer shell and smooth kernel allow for easy, blemish-free processing. As a result, Nonpareil almonds are used anywhere an attractive appearance or a strong almond identification is important

California Almond This classification

includes varieties that are generally blanchable and used primarily in manufactured products. California type almonds have a wide range of shell hardness, kernel shapes, skin color, and surface characteristics. As a result, they are quite adaptable and well suited for nearly any process or application

Mission Almond

mission type almonds have a rich flavor, and their kernels are small, wide, and often plump. The kernel skin is generally darker than Nonpareil and wrinkled, which enhances salt and flavor adherence. Blanching is not as common for this type, but some varieties in this classification are blanchable.

Carmel Almond Blooms with Nonpareil;

harvests about 2 weeks after Nonpareil. It is a good pollinizer for Nonpareil, with heavy, early production, but its susceptibility to bud failure is a serious concern. Kernel is medium size and elongated; well-sealed, soft shell. Tree is medium size but more upright than Nonpareil.

Butte AlmondBlooms 5 days after

Nonpareil; harvests 2 weeks after Nonpareil. Heavy producer with the highest yield of all varieties over the years in the regional variety trials. Kernel is medium-small with a semi-hard shell and is well sealed. Tree is vigorous and spreading.

Padre AlmondBlooms 5 days after

Nonpareil; harvests 26 days after Nonpareil. A productive varietyand does well on Marianna plum rootstock. It has a medium-small kernel and a hard shell with a good seal. Tree is medium size and upright. A good producer with potentialfor high yields.

Monterey Almond Blooms 2 days after

Nonpareil; harvests 28 days after Nonpareil, somewhat late. Kernel is large size and elongated with a high percentage of doubles. Shell is soft and well sealed. It is a heavy and precocious producer. Tree is small to medium size and somewhat sprawling.

Marcona Almond

A Spanish variety with a small, precocious habit. The shells are hard, making the nuts more difficult to shell, resulting in a weaker meat to shell ratio. However, Marcona meats are generally worth 20% more per pound than Nonpareil. Good compatibility with Sonora.

Ruby Almond A chance seedling, apparently

from Nonpareil-Mission parentage, Ruby was commercially introduced in 1958. This variety blooms late and after Mission, for which it is a pollenizer. As the tree gets older, bloom time may be later in relation to Mission bloom. Harvest is concurrent with, or slightly after, that of Mission. The tree is small, with an upright growth habit. Noninfectious bud failure has not been detected, and Ruby follows the Mission bearing pattern in developing large numbers of spurs. With age, its vigor may be reduced enough that there is some potential for yield decline.

Neplus ultra

Blooms 5 days before Nonpareil; harvests 14 days after Nonpareil. Early bloom is susceptible to frost. The kernel is large. Shell is soft and well sealed. Tree has a spreading, slightly willow-like growth habit. It is used primarily for pollination

Sonora Almond Blooms 3 to 5 days

before Nonpareil; harvests 7 days after Nonpareil. It has good frost resistance. Kernel is medium-large, elongated, light colored in a paper thin shell. It is often poorly sealed. Tree is medium size with a slight spreading growth habit. It tends to alternate bloom

Fritz Almond Blooms with Nonpareil

or 1 to 2 days after. It is one of the latest harvest varieties; 40days after Nonpareil, but also among the most productive pollinizers for Nonpareil. Kernel is medium-small, ovate with a soft shell. Medium size tree is upright and somewhat spreading.

Price Almond Blooms with Nonpareil;

harvests 4 to 7 days after Nonpareil. The bloom overlaps the Nonpareil bloom almost perfectly. Like Sonora, it tends to alternate bloom. Kernel is medium-small, plump and has a paper-thin shell. It has a high number of double kernels. Tree is medium size, vigorous, upright and spreading.

Peerless Almond Blooms 5 days before

Nonpareil; harvests 17 days after Nonpareil. Early bloom is susceptible to frost. It has a medium size kernel. Considered the best for in-shell markets due to attractive, light colored, hard shell. Tree is medium size with moderate, upright growth.

 

Aldrich Almond

Blooms slightly ahead of Nonpareil; harvests 14 days after Nonpareil, excellent pollinizer for Nonpareil. Tree has an upright and vertical growth habit. Medium hard shell. Well sealed nuts.

Texas Mission

Blooms 6 days after Nonpareil; harvests 28 days after Nonpareil. The kernel is medium-small and plump. It is very well sealed, has a hard shell and low worm damage. Tree is large, upright and easy to train.