I'm sure most people would agree that Ibiza is beautiful every month of the year, but never more so than during February when the almond trees are in full blossom. Their brilliant pink and white flowers seem to shimmer and sparkle from the branches and, in fact, give off so much luminosity that the annual walk along an almond blossom route by the light of February's full moon is a must for many people on the island.
After California, Spain is the world's second largest producer of almonds, and from the nineteenth century until as recently as the 1960s, they were a highly valued commodity and a source of income to many families on Ibiza. The boost in the tourist industry has meant that many of the traditional ways of life on the island have been left behind, and almond production on Ibiza has plummeted drastically.
Almonds are, in actual fact, stone fruits related to cherries, plums and peaches, and the scientific name is Prunus Dulcis. Thought to have originated in western Asia and North Africa, the almond is considered to be one of the earliest domesticated tree nuts (as the bitter wild almonds produce cyanide and eating even just a few could be deadly)
Long revered as the epitome of wellness and health, almonds are one of the richest sources of energy and nutrients essential for optimum health. They are gluten-free, rich in dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and mono-unsaturated fatty acids that help reduce "bad cholesterol". Many of the nutrients contained in almonds are good for the development of the brain, and being packed with vitamin E, protein and potassium, they also reduce the risk of heart disease and help regulate blood pressure.
Pregnant women would be well advised to eat plenty of almonds as they contain folic acid and a massage with almond oil is often recommended for new born babies. In fact, since the times of Ancient Egypt, almond oil has always been a popular ingredient in lotions and potions due to it being a wonderful emollient which helps keep the skin healthy and protected from dryness.
The list of the almond's health benefits is seemingly endless - prevention against colon cancer, diabetes and alzheimer's disease, and according to Ayurveda, they even nourish the nervous system and increase longevity. They help build strong bones and teeth, boost your energy and can actually help you lose weight as the healthy fat contained in almonds satisfies appetite and prevents over-eating.
There are very few cons to be found with almonds, but they do contain oxalates which, in excess, can cause crystallisation so anyone with kidney or gallbladder problems should avoid them. It's also a good idea to drink plenty of water after eating almonds.
But perhaps the most important thing of all is that they are wonderfully delicious too - either whole, sliced or flaked, in butter or milk, in savoury or sweet dishes...or fresh from the almond blossom trees of Ibiza!
Photography: Cat Milton