The Almond varietal refers to different types of almond tree species that produce differing almond nuts. These varieties differ in their growing conditions, the size and taste of their nuts, and their resistance to diseases. Some popular almond varietals include Nonpareil, Carmel, Mission, and Butte.
Nonpareil is a popular variety due to its high yield, early harvest time and its almonds' high quality with thin shells, smooth skin and a sweet taste. Carmel is another popular commercial variety, known for its medium to large size and hard shell. Carmel almonds are often used in baking and confectionery.
Mission almonds are known for their smaller, pointed kernels that have a hard shell with a wrinkled surface, often used in making almond butter and almond milk. On the other hand, the Butte almond variety is known for its wide, plump kernels and rough skin, perfect for natural whole almond presentations and almond roasting.
The Almond varietal plays an important role in almond production around the world, not only for eating but also for the production of almond oil, almond milk, and other almond-based products.
