A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provides more evidence that almonds are one of the most heart-healthy foods around. In addition, a study in the International Journal of Obesity found that adding a daily ration of almonds to a low-calorie diet enhanced weight loss, as well as significantly improved risk factors associated with heart disease, when compared to a low- fat, low-calorie diet. Almonds are also a great source of protein, vitamin E, and fiber.
Fun Facts about almonds
Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Bible's book of Numbers tells of Aaron's rod that blossomed and bore almonds, using them as a symbol to represent the divine approval of Aaron by God.
Explorers consumed almonds while traveling the "Silk Road" between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean region to include such areas as Spain, Italy, Morocco, Greece and Israel.
The Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. There have been documented findings that nutmeats and dried fruits were treated as delicacies of this time, because the cultivation of these foods was not as prevalent as today. Imagine the value of something as small as a nut being a cherished gift for so many centuries!
The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700's by the Franciscan Padres. The moist, cool weather of the coastal missions, however, did not provide optimum growing conditions. It wasn't until the following century that trees were successfully planted inland.
By the 1870's, research and cross-breeding had developed several of today's prominent almond varieties. By the turn of the 20th century, the almond industry was firmly established in the Sacramento and San Joaquin areas of California's great Central Valley.
In the past 20 years, California's almond yield has doubled. More than a half million acres in the lush San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys are under almond cultivation, stretching 400 miles between Bakersfield and Red Bluff, California. The modern industry of today reveals a different look at almonds. Now focused on highly advanced methods of production sorting, hulling and processing, the industry still maintains its down to earth goodness invoked by this simple nut.
The almonds arrived yesterday and I thank you. Everyone enjoys them and I'm sure I will be ordering more in the future. As a business owner myself, I just thought you would appreciate the feed back.
-Gary, NY
Hello,
Recently I ordered four pounds of the slivered almonds from you. Not only were they of a far superior quality to those that I can get in a Costco or BJ's type store, they are far superior and less costly than those available through Almond Plaza, a mail order house that supposedly is geared towards almond-related products.
Today, I ordered three pounds of your dried cherries. Again, they were quite reasonably priced and based on past performance, I know that they will be delivered in a timely fashion.
I am glad that I found you online.
By the way, The Almond Plaza place that I referred to above does not even sell slivered almonds now. They claim that they are a seasonable product. Well, you proved them wrong on that.Thanks!
-Martin Machover
This is the third time that I am ordering from you. Each time I have ordered, I have found that your products arrive promptly and are always fresh Also, they are always delicous.
I might add that I have compared prices against those of other mail order businesses that feature the same kinds of products and foods. Your prices are consistently the most reasonable.
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