BAHA - The beauty of Al-Baha is heightened with the blossoming of almond trees on almost every hillside presenting a surreal blanket of white and pink covering the majestic mountainous landscape. The farmers of the region collect the harvest towards the end of the winter season every year. The markets in the region are filled with the almond harvest attracting customers from all walks of life. Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E and raw almonds, loaded with high quality protein full of essential amino acids, are a favorite of one and all. They are also rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins, essential minerals and monounsaturated fat, helpful in lowering LDL cholesterol. Potential health benefits of adding almonds to the daily diet include improved complexion and a lower risk of cancer. A preliminary trial showed that, in spite of the high fat content of almonds, using them in the daily diet might lower several factors associated with heart diseases including cholesterol and lipids. Despite the high prices, there is a great demand for almonds that make their way into almost every recipe one can think of. One tree may yield up to 200 kg of almonds. The fruit of the almond is not a true nut, but a drupe, consisting of an outer hard shell with the seed “nut” inside. Shelling of almonds refers to removing the shell to reveal the seed. Almonds are commonly sold shelled or unshelled.
