Earliest varieties of almonds came from China, carried via the Silk Road to Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. Explorers ate almonds as sustenance as they traveled the Silk Road.

In the 16th century Persians were emigrating to northern India, bringing their familiar foods and introducing new flavors to the cuisine of that country. This blending of cuisines developed into the Muglai style that introduced, among many other foods, almonds and almond milk.

In classical times Romans presented gifts of sugared almonds to important dignitaries as well as personal friends. At weddings they also tossed almonds at the bride and groom as a symbol of fertility.

An early European tradition of wrapping sugar-coated almonds in sheer netting and presenting them to wedding guests symbolized fertility, happiness, romance, good health and fortune. Are almonds the key to a happy marriage?

Sweden employs the almond as symbol of good fortune at Christmas time, serving rice pudding with an almond hidden in one of the servings. The one who finds it is promised an especially good year.

One superstition holds that eating almonds before drinking reduces the chances of getting drunk and having a hangover. (We're sorry we don't know of any randomized controlled clinical trials to substantiate this claim)

French novelist, Collette, is quoted, "Eating too many almonds, they add weight to the breasts."

The almond tree figures in history, mythology and poetry. In the Bible we find numerous references:

• Genesis 30:37
  Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches.

• Genesis 43:11
  Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift-a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

• Exodus 25:33
  Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lamp stand.

• Exodus 25:34
  And on the lamp stand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.

• Exodus 37:19
  Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lamp stand.

• Exodus 37:20
  And on the lamp stand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.

• Numbers 17:8
  The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.

• Ecclesiastes 12:5
  when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets

• Jeremiah 1:11
  The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?" "I see the branch of an almond tree," I replied.
  
  

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