Almonds are one of the most popular tree nuts in the world for good reason. They’re packed with heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and nutrients that can help prevent diabetes, stroke and cancer. They’re also versatile: you can bake them into pies or cook them into curries and stir-fries. But did you know there are several different types of almonds? In this article, we’ll explore their differences so you can decide which almond variety is right for your family.
Almond Varieties
Mendocino
This cultivar is a cross between the Allred and Nonpareil varieties. It was developed by a man named Harry Lippincott in California in 1913, who also developed the Kerman almond cultivar. Mendocino is thought to be one of the best tasting almonds available, with an excellent balance between sweetness and bitterness. Its oil content is also high compared to other varieties at around 48%.
The skin is thin, and the kernel is small and oval. The almond has a light brown color with white markings on the shell.
The flavor is sweet, but with a hint of bitterness. It’s often described as “buttery” or “nutty” and has a delicate aroma. The almond is used in baking, cooking and candy making.
Mendocino
Mendocino is a cultivar of almond that was developed by the University of California at Davis. It is a hybrid of Nonpareil and Kerman, which means it’s closely related to its parent varieties.
Mendocino trees are vigorous growers with large flowers and medium-sized nuts with thin shells. The tree grows well in warm climates such as California’s Central Valley or along the coast, where there is plenty of sunshine and dry weather during flowering time (late winter).
In addition to being used for commercial production, Mendocino has been planted as an ornamental tree because it produces beautiful white blossoms in springtime.
Mendocino almonds are used in commercial production because they have a thin shell and large kernel. This means that you can easily crack open the nut to remove the meat inside, which is often used for baking or making candy.
Nonpareil
Nonpareil is an early-maturing variety that produces large nuts with a thin shell. It is the most popular variety in California, and has been grown there since the late 1800s.
The nuts are large, averaging about 3.5 ounces, and have a thin shell that can be easily cracked. The flavor of the nut is rich and buttery with a hint of sweetness. The tree has good resistance to disease and produces heavy crops every year.
Allred
Allred is a cross between Nonpareil and Kerman, which means it has high yields and good eating quality. Allred trees are late bloomers that produce fruit with a very small kernel size (about 2 mm). This variety is popular in California because it thrives under hot, dry conditions and produces large crops with virtually no disease problems. It also tends to produce well in northern climates such as Washington State or Oregon
because it is winter hardy. Allred is a good choice for backyard growers who want to make raisins or have limited space. It has an open canopy and medium-sized leaves, so the tree needs plenty of sunlight to produce fruit.
Kerman
Kerman is a very old variety that has been cultivated for hundreds of years. It is widely grown in California, Arizona and Mexico. Kerman trees are tall with a spreading canopy and medium-sized nuts that ripen in September or October.
Kerman nuts have excellent flavor and high oil content, making them suitable for both eating raw or roasting. They also make great nut butter! The trees themselves are not as resistant to disease as some other cultivars; however they do produce large crops year after year so it’s worth considering if you want to grow almonds commercially or simply don’t mind having some extra work maintaining your trees every year.
Kerman trees are moderately hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit, but they may not produce nuts if exposed to colder temperatures for long periods of time.
Chandler
Chandler is a popular variety of almond in California. It is also known as the “sweetest” of all almonds, with higher sugar content than other varieties. The Chandler has a slightly more bitter taste than some other varieties, but it still has a sweet flavor overall. This cultivar produces large nuts that are easy to remove from their shells and have an attractive appearance.
The Chandler tree grows well in areas with mild winters and hot summers; it can tolerate temperatures down to -6 degrees Celsius (21 F) but will not survive if temperatures drop below -12 degrees Celsius (10 F).
The Chandler tree is a popular variety of almond in California. It is also known as the “sweetest” of all almonds, with higher sugar content than other varieties. The Chandler has a slightly more bitter taste than some other varieties, but it still has a sweet flavor overall. This cultivar produces large nuts that are easy to remove from their shells and have an attractive appearance.
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Almonds are an important crop in California and around the world. They are a source of healthy fats, fiber and protein that can be added to many different types of dishes.
