The almond tree, or Prunus dulcis, is a wonderful small fruit tree found from North Africa to Western Asia. In France, it is very common in the Mediterranean region and is part of the traditional crops of Provence. Its splendid pink or white flowering, very early, marks the arrival of spring. To bear fruit and offer us its delicious nuts, the almond tree needs warmth and a permeable, rather chalky soil, with a sunny and sheltered exposure from cold winds.

Packed with energy, almonds are also known to be rich in vitamin E, fibre, calcium, magnesium and lipids. Widely used in cosmetics as well as in various cuisines of the Mediterranean and Middle East, almonds enhance both savoury dishes and pastries, whether whole, sliced, or ground into powder. And of course, they can be eaten raw, picked straight from the tree!

Ripe almonds

Mature almonds

To enjoy these delicious fruits with their multiple virtues and unique taste, here's how to harvest and store them.

The fruiting cycle of almond trees

Almond trees flower in February-March, before the leaves appear. The numerous flower buds release pretty 5-petalled flowers in white or pink, depending on the cultivar or variety. Pollination is carried out by wind and bees. Then the almonds appear: a non-edible green then dark brown outer shell splits open, revealing a stone with a hard or soft shell depending on the variety. Inside are one or two seeds: the almond kernels. This is the edible part.

Almond tree fruiting

Flower buds, flowers, green almonds and ripe almonds

How to tell when almonds are ripe?

  • Harvesting fresh almonds, in their green state, takes place in May-June or until July depending on the climate. It's often said that this harvest should be done between 10 and 25 days before full maturity. At this stage, the almonds have a sweet, milky taste.
  • Harvesting dried almonds takes place in autumn, from late August, sometimes until September-October, again depending on climatic and growing conditions. The shell of a ripe almond has split and shrivelled, revealing the woody shell containing the edible part. They also begin to fall to the ground.

How to harvest almonds?

Almonds can be harvested by hand or knocked down with a long pole. If you have a lot of fruit to harvest, spread a tarpaulin or net under the tree to gather them more easily. Gently shake the fruit with the pole to detach them from the branches without damaging them. You can remove their outer shell on the spot or do it later.

Harvesting almonds

Harvesting almonds using a pole and net

Warning: if foraging, remember to taste a small piece of an almond before harvesting more. If it tastes bitter, move on! Indeed, eating more than 2 bitter almonds per day can be dangerous, even fatal in quantity, as they contain hydrocyanic acid, in other words cyanide!

How to store freshly harvested almonds?

Almonds are oily nuts (containing oil) with a hard shell. It's this tough, woody envelope that allows them to be stored. Once their outer shell is removed, almonds in their shell can be stored without problem in the open air for up to a full year. Promote air circulation by placing them on a rack or in a basket in a cool room. Don't hesitate to stir them regularly to aerate them and watch out for rodents getting to your harvest! This storage method will allow you to enjoy them at your leisure, cracking the shells with a nutcracker.

If you prefer to crack the almonds to extract them from their shells all at once, you can store them, like most dried fruits, in an airtight container, such as a glass jar. This should be dry and clean with a lid. Your containers should preferably be stored in a dark, dry place to keep them crunchy and prevent them from going rancid: a cupboard or pantry will do perfectly.

Storing almonds requires an airtight container

Storing almonds in an airtight jar

How to dry almonds?

Drying almonds can be done simply using your oven or a dehydrator. This step allows them to be stored longer and gives them a good roasted flavour.

  • Remove the almonds from their shells, taking care to discard any that are damaged;
  • It is recommended to soak the almonds in salted water at a ratio of 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 litre of water. This will help neutralise the phytic acid present in almonds as in other oily nuts; Digestion and nutrient absorption will thus be facilitated. This step is optional;
  • Dry the almonds with a cloth or paper towel.
Removing almonds from their shells

Almonds extracted from their shells ready for drying

Oven drying

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C;
  • Spread the almonds on a baking tray in a fairly thin layer;
  • Dry them in the oven for about 15 minutes, turning them halfway through. If you prefer a more pronounced roasted flavour, simply leave them for a few minutes longer;
  • Remove them from the oven and let them cool to room temperature.

Roasted almonds

Dehydrator drying

  • Spread the almonds on the trays of the appliance;
  • Dehydrate at 45°C for 12 to 24 hours, according to your appliance's instructions, turning them regularly. The time may vary depending on the moisture content of your almonds;
  • Remove from the dehydrator and let cool to room temperature.

Dried almonds should be stored in the refrigerator or a cool place away from light in an airtight container. They will keep for 3 months. Beyond that, you can freeze them and take them out as needed.

To learn more, check out our guide: "Drying fruits harvested in the garden. For long-term storage".

What to do with shell fragments?

Think about recycling your waste! Crushed shells can be used in the garden:

  • as a substitute for clay pebbles to drain your potted plants: place a thin layer of shells at the bottom of the pot and mix some well-crushed ones into your soil. This will lighten and drain the substrate;
  • as an eco-friendly mulch in the vegetable garden or flower beds.

Almond shells