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HISTORY & ORIGIN
The Almond originated in the hot, dry climate of middle east (Iran), and spread along the shores of the Mediterranean in northern Africa and southern Europe by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
It is constituted by an oval grain (almand) of whitish color which is covered by a thin brown skin and is nested in a shell more or less hard. A green and hard fibroid envelope covers the shell.
Almonds fall into two categories : Bitter and Sweet.
Bitter almonds contain cyanogenic glycosides in seeds, bark and leaves. If eaten in large quantities it causes convultions and death.
Sweet almonds are the edible almonds popularly used. Usually eaten dried, it is also appreciated when its shell is tender and fresh.
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THE WORLD OF ALMONDS
A small to medium sized tree, with flowers nearly identical to peach flowers in structure but lighter pink to white in color, the Almond is a true Mediterranean fruit crop requiring mild winters and long, rain-less hot summers with low humidity.
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ADVANTAGES
Almond contains folic acid, iron, calcium and thiamin. 86 % of fats contained in the almond are poly and mono unsaturated fats, which have proved to be good for a healthy diet. It is used as folk remedy for cancers, tumors, ulcers, corns, and calluses. The oil is used to treat various forms of dermatitis and is highly valued for its use in cosmetics and creams. Dried sweet almonds are extremely nourishing and an excellent source of copper, potassium, phosphor and zinc.
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HISTORY & ORIGIN
Brazilian Indians have been utilising cashew nuts and apples since the time of European colonisation in the 1500's. The Brazilian Indians roasted nuts over a fire thus burning off the toxic outer covering and this method was copied by the Portuguese colonisers. Brazilian Indians grew Cashew trees outside their homes, partly for shade, and established them beyond their indigenous coastal distribution. Cashew trees were also popular to the European colonisers so that by 1750 they were widely distributed throughout tropical America.
Cashew trees were introduced to India by the Portuguese in the 1500's where they came to be grown mainly for producing wine and brandy. From India, Cashews were introduced to other Asian countries. The earliest record of Cashews growing in Africa is from the late 18th Century. Cashews have spread widely in the Indian Ocean region and have become naturalised in seashore habitats.
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THE WORLD OF CASHEWS
Trade in cashew nuts started at the beginning of the 20th Century and grew particularly fast in in 1930's, being dominated mainly by India. Around about 1960 there was rapid growth in the industry, particularly in India, Madagascar and Mozambique. Research was initiated by the Indians in producing better cultivars although cultivated Cashews still remain much the same as their wild counterparts. In the 1960's the Cashew story completed a full circe by coming back to its land of origin in Brazil where large commercial plantations were set up together with processing factories.
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ADVANTAGES
Poly and mono unsaturated fats consitute about 76 % of fats contained in the cashew nut, which is beneficial for a healthy diet. Apart from being an excellent source of copper, magnesium and zinc, it also contains potassium, phosphor, iron, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, B6 vitamin and riboflavin.The Cashew tree provides a relaxing shade due to its evergreen leaves and a wide-spreading canopy. Sap with insecticidal properties can be tapped from the trunks and also be used as a varnish. Moreover they can be also be cut down for firewood and charcoal.
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HISTORY & ORIGIN
The date palm is probably the oldest tree cultivated by man. Dates have been cultivated and traded from as early as 5000 BC and whilst dates were revered by many cultures, the Arabs seem to be the ones who hold it in the greatest esteem. That desert people, in particular the nomadic Bedouins, lived on dates and camel milk for months on end is a historical fact. Evidence that the fruit was traded between India and the Arabian Peninsula dates back to the 1st Millennia BC, via the already established Frankincense and Myrrh trade routes.
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THE WORLD OF DATES
Apart from the Majool Date which is mainly grown in Morocco, there are others like Barhee, Khalas, Zaghloul, Naghal and Jaberi Fardh with all differing in colour, sweetness and texture. In short, there are over 600 varieties of dates grown world- wide .
Date Palms are dioecious that is to say there are male and female plants. It only requires one male plant to every 40 or so female trees to produce good crops when grown on a plantation. Now grown in tropical and sub tropical regions as well as in temperate regions in USA, Australia, and Mediterranean areas, most start to produce fruit at about 6 years but reach maturity at about 30 years and continue to produce dates for a further 70 years or so.
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ADVANTAGES
Dates contain several minerals including potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamine, folic and ascorbic acid, fats and easily digested sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose).
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HISTORY & ORIGIN
Pine Nuts are often associated with the Mediterranean region, in particular Italy where it has been used as an ingredient for over 2,000 years. Research indicates that the species now grown in Europe, Pinus Pinea originated in the Near East and that it was man who gradually spread it throughout the Mediterranean. In ancient Roman times they were made into wine, preserved in honey, used in sausages and other recipes and later, huge forests were planted as a direct response to Papal decrees.
However, other varieties of pine nuts have also been grown and eaten in various parts of the world. In the South Western parts of the United states, it is thought that the kernels of the North American Pinon tree were eaten as a staple food some 10,000 years ago and species are also to be found in Korea, China, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan where it has been a traditional food of nomadic tribes
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THE WORLD OF PINES
There are about a dozen species worldwide that are used for food, but it's mainly the stone pine, Pinus Pinea which is cultivated for commercial use. This species is slow growing and eventually grows to between 6-12 metres, depending on the growing conditions. It takes about 15 years before it starts to produce notable amounts of cones, which however once established, can be productive for 100 years.
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ADVANTAGES
Pine nutsl popular for their delicate taste and texture is very high in protein (about 31g of protein per 100g of nuts) which makes them extremely useful in a vegetarian diet. Poly and mono unsaturated fats consitute about 80 % of fats contained in the pine grains which is beneficial for a healthy diet. Apart from being an excellent source of magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, phosphore, zinc, niacine and folic acids, it also contains riboflavine and B6 vitamins and is also a very high source of fibers.
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HISTORY & ORIGIN
Pistachios dates back to the Holy Lands of the Middle East, where they grew wild in the high desert regions. The pistachio has been considered a delicacy since the beginning of recorded history, and has been cultivated for centuries throughout its native range and in Sicily The royal nut was imported by American traders in the 1880s, primarily for U.S. citizens of Middle Eastern origin. Some 50 years later, pistachios became a popular snack food, introduced in vending machines.These imported nuts were dyed red to draw attention, and to cover stains from antiquated harvesting techniques.
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THE WORLD OF PISTACHIOS
The pistachio is native to the Asia Minor area, from the islands of the Mediterranean in the west to India in the east. It requires long, hot summers for fruit maturation, is drought and salt tolerant, yet has a high chilling requirement.. It was introduced to California in 1854, but commercial plantings did not develop until 1970. California production now has increased so rapidly it has all but eliminated the need for pistachio import into the US.
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ADVANTAGES
An excellent source of magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, phosphore, zinc, it is used to provide relief during toothaches and also to prevent periodontal disease.
Pistachios have no cholestrol and are high in polyunsaturates, fiber and protein.
It contains: folic acid, niacine panthothenic acid, calcium, riboflavine, B6 vitamins, C vitamin.
Pistachios have been reported as a remedy for: Scirrhus and sclerosis of the liver, abdominal ailments, abscess, bruises and sores, chest ailments, circulation problems, and other problems. Powdered pistachio root in oil is used for children's cough in Algeria. Leaves were used to enhance fertility in Lebanon, and Arabs consider the nuts an aphrodisiac. Its trunk is good for carving, cabinentry, and firewood
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HISTORY & ORIGIN
The earliest records of the growing of orchards of walnut trees date back to the classical Greek and Roman times, although in the Périgord region in Southwest France, excavations have revealed fossilised shells of the nuts which were roasted during the Neolithic period, more than eight thousand years ago.
The name comes from the German Wallnuss which means “foreign nut”.
The growing of walnut groves in Europe took off in the 1500's however they are now grown worldwide with California being the largest producer
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THE WORLD OF WALNUTS
Walnut trees thrive in temperate zones and require deep but well drained alluvial type soils. After an orchard is planted, it takes approximately seven years before its first yield however, once established it will continue to bear quality fruit for as long as 100 years
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ADVANTAGES
Studies show that walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids called alpha linolenic acid (ALA). A high intake of ALA is protective against heart attack. Walnuts also contain compounds called sterols, which are naturally occurring plant compounds that are chemically similar to cholesterol. Some plant sterols are not absorbed by the digestive tract and block the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. One ounce of walnuts contains 50 milligrams of plant sterols, which scientists believe may play a chemoprotecive as well as a cardioprotective role.
Walnuts also offer protein, fiber, magnesium, manganese and copper. In addition, it also contains ellagic acid, a flavonoid that has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
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