Every February 16 is celebrated as National Almond Day.

It is a day that recognizes the versatile and healthful role of almonds.

I remember the packs of nuts I received from Lev Haolam all the way from Israel, a couple of months ago, wow, so tasty and nutritious.

Relax as I use this opportunity to showcase the beauty of these nuts to you. Of all the food facts, the fact that BELLY FAT can be dealt with while eating and taking almonds is my main point of excitement. Let’s go!

FOOD FACTS

• This delicious nut is native to the Middle East and thrives in warm, dry climates with mild winters. The day celebrates the health benefits as well as the nutritional value of almonds.
• Almonds, are commonly used as a bite-sized little nut in most nutrition, breakfast and snack recipes.
• Many foodies as well food historians generally believe and agree that almonds were one of the earliest cultivated foods by mankind.
• Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the days of the Bible!, although their first place of origin is debated.
• Almonds were thought to have first been cultivated in China and Central Asia. While travelling the Silk Road between Asia and the Mediterranean, explorers were said to have snacked on almonds during the long travel times.
• As the explorers settled in the Mediterranean region, the trees began to grow in the area. As the trees spread throughout Europe, many of them clustered in Spain and Italy. Almonds eventually made their journey to the United States in the mid-1700s.
• Historians equally believe that almonds made their appearance on the trade ship brought to the US from Spain by the Franciscan Padres. The trees died out in the United States quite quickly as the soil and cultivation knowledge to keep the trees alive was inadequate. It was not until the 1800’s that almond trees were successfully grown and harvested in the States.
• Well, By the end of the 1800s, the Sacramento and San Joaquin areas of California became the United State’s biggest almond producers. 
• Presently, almonds symbolize a variety of things. The Bible tells the story of the rod that blossomed and bore almonds, making them a divine religious symbol.
• The early Romans gifted almonds to family and friends as fertility charms. These gifts were typically given at weddings. Today, sugared or frosted almonds are often given at American weddings to guests as a sign of happiness, wealth, and good fortune. 
• Almonds come in a variety of flavours like smoked, honey roasted, or even sriracha.
• Almonds have different textures like chopped, blanched, sliced, or slivered.  
• Sprouted almonds have a distinctive crunch, while Jordan Almonds are known world-wide as a delicious treat.  
• Almonds can be described as perfect food.
• They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients.
• Almonds are a great source of plant protein and healthy fat., even as studies have shown that almonds can help reduce belly fat and lower cholesterol.

• Almonds can tossed in a salad, they can be ground into flour,and can be used for a healthy alternative to milk, or just munch on a few for an afternoon snack.
• Almonds are among the most versatile and delicious nuts across the world.
• They are filled with vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber.
• Almonds are known as wonderfully healthy nuts.
• Eating almonds can help ti fight heart disease.

In Africa, and particularly, many parts of West Africa, the African Almonds are the commonest kinds of almonds relished in this part of the world. I will talk about these rich nutritious nuts…