![]() ![]() ![]() Castanets used by Flamenco dancers were also made from chestnut wood – hence the name castañuelas. The wood was used in carpentry and furniture making. Chestnuts and acorns were a vital part of people’s diet until the Spanish began to import potatoes from the Americas around 1570. Spanish chestnuts (castañas) were thought to originate in the Middle East, but recent prehistoric excavations have re-classified chestnut as native to Mediterranean countries.“Chestnuts were popular with the Romans because they could be dried,” says archaeologist Pilar Delgado explaining that the Romans also spread the species throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Chestnuts: a spiky lotĪndalucia’s old giant, el Castaño Santo. Growers sell for €1-2 per kilo with shells on. With increasing global demand and the popularity of new almond products, Spain’s production is once again increasing. ![]() Ironic since Spanish missionaries are said to have brought the fruit to America in the 18th century. 67% were grown in the USA, making the Spanish 5% share negligible by comparison. Almonds accounted for most of the global nut production of 2.4 million tonnes in 2018. In addition to the fruit’s many food uses, almond oil is used in the cosmetics industry for creams, massage oils and other skin products, while the oil from bitter almonds is used as natural flavouring. ![]() Producers like her cultivate almonds for private consumption or sell to wholesalers who supply the Spanish Turrón industry in the North.Īlmonds contain Omega 6, magnesium, potassium, calcium, Vitamin E, thiamine and niacin. “Everybody around here used to grow almonds,’’ she tells me, “but people stopped picking them”. Maite Teresa Martos, who has a small organic almond orchard in Ronda’s gorge, explains that early sprouting risks later frosts potentially ruining the crop. Due to climate change, blossoms can now be seen in January. Originating from the Far East, almonds have been growing in the Mediterranean region since it was introduced by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago.People here say that the tree improves the rock, because they will grow on the most inaccessible crags.Īlmond trees are some of the area’s earliest bloomers and the first nuts to be harvested. Consumers believe that is how nuts are supposed to look and taste, but that is only because they have not tried the walnuts from La Molinilla yet… Walnuts: cerebral and sundriedĪlmonds in shell, right from the tree. However, the nut industry’s biggest contenders are the enormous nut factories abroad, which bleach the walnut shells with chemicals. The trees need huge amounts of water, yet a big rainstorm can be fatal. Like any crops walnuts have their challenges. The quality of Nuceses de Ronda is renowned throughout Spain, however. The reason why La Molinilla hasn’t entered the international market might be because buyers find their nuts ‘dirty’ looking, because they have a slightly darker and less uniform colour. Natural walnuts don’t come perfectly clean.” Only with rain are drying machines utilized. Once picked and rinsed with water and nothing else the nuts are dried in the sun for about three days. “Our trees are like our children says Álvaro. Spanish study finds that eating nuts in first trimester of pregnancy improves child brain development. ![]()
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