Hello, my name is David and I live on a small farm in central Austalia. I haven't always lived on a farm. For many years, I lived and worked in Brisbane and had a conventional life. However, when I turned 50, I realised that I needed to make a change so I decided to quit my job and move out to the countryside. I wasn't sure what to expect. I had some vague ideas of working the land and tending to crops. Thankfully, my neighbours were very supportive and taught me everything I needed to know. I decided to start this blog to help others.
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Australian Almonds: A Guide 13 August 2021
Farming and Agriculture
Australian Almonds: A Guide
Edward Berry
Have you ever wondered how almonds ended up in Australia? Here's your chance to find out! Read on to find out about almonds and the Australian almond industry.
The history of the almond tree
Here follows a little history about this amazing tree: The almond originated in the Mediterranean and then spread throughout the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The tree made the journey to the New World as settlers moved to the Americas from Europe. The plant is believed to have arrived in Australia aboard the Duke of York in the 1800s with the first plantings taking place in 1836.
A guide to almond growing in Australia
The history of almond growing in Australia flourished in the 1800s where it was grown primarily for oil production and a small amount as an export crop. This trend has continued through to the present day with almond growing and it has now become a major industry. Production levels have had to increase to keep up with demand, with crop yields increasing from 39 metric tons (2010) to a predicted 120 metric tons in 2021.
Work has been carried out to improve the varieties of the plant. These new varieties had better levels of yield and a higher size and quality of the nut. As a result, the industry has grown and there are now many commercial growers across Australia. The country's growing regions include Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
The health benefits of almonds
Many people are discovering the health benefits of almonds, which boosts Australia's almond industry. Almonds have been found to have a high content of Vitamin E, which is associated with a lower risk for heart disease and Alzheimer's. In addition, almonds are a good source of protein, fibre and antioxidants which help to protect the body from cancer and ageing.
There are other health benefits when almonds are used when cooking. The oil made from the nuts is high in monounsaturated fat which has been shown to lower cholesterol levels in some people. This means you can enjoy almond butter, nut butter or even almond flour without worrying about weight gain or a spike in bad cholesterol levels.
If you would like to find out more, contact a supplier of Australian almonds. A member of staff will be happy to discuss the almond industry, wholesale ordering, and the various uses to which almonds can be put.
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