Shining a Spotlight on Almonds

For centuries, almonds have been a health food staple. A small handful packs a punch with rich nutrients such as fiber, protein, healthy fat, vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium!

According to a Healthline article, they’re also loaded with antioxidants, can lower cholesterol levels, help to stabilize blood sugar levels, AND regulate blood pressure levels. Health.com suggests that almonds help gut health, too, and that they’re good for your skin. There are lots of ways to add almonds into your diet – toss some almond butter into a smoothie, or get that crunch factor by adding slivered almonds to a salad. For the dessert enthusiasts, try adding almonds as your next topping!

Almonds also have historical significance. Did you know that according to almonds.com, in ancient Rome, circa 100 A.D., newlyweds were showered with almonds as a symbol of fertility? Fast forward to the tradition of gifting sugared almonds as a gift to couples in North America. Did you also know that almond trees were brought by Franciscan padres to California to plant them in North America? Now, California is the most predominant producer of almonds, accounting for 80 percent of the world’s almond supply.

Almonds are also popular around the world. Almonds.com suggests in Japan, almonds are paired with chocolate. In China, almonds are enjoyed as a salty snack, featured at holidays and gatherings. In India, almonds are considered brain food and are commonly given as presents during Diwali. In Italy, almonds are incorporated into candy, which is where the tradition of Jordan almonds as wedding favors started. In France, almonds are also enjoyed in sweet treats: they are baked into macaroons, almond marzipan, and other French pastries. In the U.S. almonds pop up in many everyday products, from almond milk and almond oil to almond butter and almond flour...the list goes on!

Whether you’re a salty snacker or you have a massive sweet tooth, there’s so many ways to incorporate almonds into your diet! If you’re a dessert enthusiast like us, be sure to check out our Cake of the Month – the classic Toasted Almond Bundt Cake! It’s a delicious option to sneak in some almonds – without compromising taste!