The Prunus dulcis, known as the almond tree, is a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family, which is cultivated mainly for its edible seeds, the almonds. It is native to the Middle East and South Asia, and is now widely cultivated in many regions of the world, such as the Mediterranean and California. The almond is one of the most nutritious nuts, rich in vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.

Botanical Description:

• Family: Rosaceae
• Genus: Prunus
• Kind: Prunus dulcis
• Height: The almond tree can reach 4-10 meters in height.
• Leaves: The leaves are long, thin and serrated at the edges.
• Flowers: Almond flowers are white or pink and appear in early spring before the leaves.
• Fruit: The fruit is oval, with a hard shell that contains the seed (the almond), which can be sweet or bitter, depending on the variety.

Chemical composition:

Almonds are highly nutritious, providing a wide range of bioactive compounds:

• Monounsaturated fatty acids: Most of the fat in almonds is healthy fat, mainly oleic acid.
• Vegetable fibers: High fiber content.
• Proteins: Almonds are rich in plant-based proteins.
• Vitamins: Excellent source of vitamin E.
• Metals: High content of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
• Antioxidants: Rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Almond Oil & Nutrition Facts

Almonds have always been a rich source of oil with 50% of the dry mass of the almond consisting of fat.

More specifically, almond oil contains:

• 32% Monounsaturated Oleic Acid (the same as that contained in olive oil, as an omega-9 fatty acid)

• 13% linoleic acid (polyunsaturated omega-6 essential fatty acid) and

• 10% saturated fatty acid (mainly as palmitic acid).

• 0% of linolenic acid, the polyunsaturated essential omega-3 fatty acid found in both fish and other natural sources.

• Furthermore, almond oil is a rich source of vitamin E, providing 261% of the Daily Need/Value per 100 ml.

 When almond oil is analyzed separately and expressed per 100 grams as a reference mass, the oil provides 3,700 kJ (or 884 Calories kcal) of food energy, 8 grams of saturated fat (81% of which is palmitic acid), 70 grams of oleic acid, and 17 grams of linoleic acid (table oil).

Nutritional Table

Nutritional value per 100 g
Energy	3,699 kJ (884 kcal)
Fat	100 g
Saturated	8.2 g
Monounsaturated	69.9 g
Polyunsaturated omega‑3 omega‑6	17.4 g 0 17.4 g
Vitamins	Quantity %DV†
Vitamin E	261% 39.2 mg
Vitamin K	7% 7.0 μg
Minerals	Quantity %DV†
Iron	0% 0 mg
Link to USDA Database entry
Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units

Uses & Types of Preparation 

Almond oil is made from either sweet or bitter almonds from the dried kernel of almonds and is a glyceryl oleate with a slight nutty odor and flavor.

It is almost insoluble in alcohol but readily soluble in chloroform or ether. 

• The sweet almond oil used as a carrier and solvent oil in aromatherapy and cosmetics. Especially in dilution essential oils but also in the manufacture of therapeutic or cosmetic oils and rubbing ointments. Its thin texture and its distinctive, almost unobtrusive odor make it perhaps the best oil for the manufacture of cosmetic preparations. Also, due to its structure, it has one of the lowest oxidation rates of all other vegetable oils, which makes it ideal for both storage and heat treatment.
  

• The bitter almond, which contains benzaldehyde, is used as a flavoring for foods, drinks and perfumes but also as an edible. Mainly for the large amount of Vit B-17 which it contains and its amazing antioxidant properties. However, special attention and advice are needed because bitter almond oil, unlike plain almond oil, can be toxic in larger quantities.

Almonds are treated with hot water to soften the seed coat, which is then removed to reveal their white endocarp. Once the almonds are cleaned and treated, they can be stored over time.

Discover all the forms of almond oil

• Almond oil for cooking (Foods Grade) 

• Almond oil, pharmaceutical grade for cosmetics (Cosmetics Grade) 

• Bitter Almond Oil (Essential Oil)