Almonds along with dates, grapes and olives are among the first food crop, probably before 3000 BC . Almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned in the Bible. The almond tree appears to have originated in the mountainous areas of Central Asia, by hybridization of several species of which can still be found in the wild in several Asian countries, including Iran, Afghanistan and other countries of Central Asia. The spread to different Asian countries was facilitated by the fact that the seed was both the propagation unit and the edible portion. This will quickly distributed Persia, Mesopotamia and, through trade routes, by all early civilizations.
In Spain there are more than 2,000 years, probably introduced by the Phoenicians and later spread by the Romans, why did both trade, as evidenced by the remains found in sunken ships. Its culture was established initially in coastal areas, which still dominates, but has also been introduced into the interior and even in northern areas where the climate is not favorable.
A very popular product in the medieval period was the preparation of almond milk. The milk substitute was widely used from Europe to East Asia, known both in the Islamic world as in the Christian world.
Its culture would arise in America in 1700 when the Iberian Franciscan friars planted along the Camino Real, coastal road linking San Diego California on the south by Sonora in northern California. However, the humid climate and the coast of California proved to be less than ideal for the almond trees that needed more warm and dry climate. The trees thrived successfully when planted in the interior.
Sources: Wikipedia.
Links:
Youtube: Video showing how to make almond milk.
