Afghanistan's Almonds
Almond is one of the main agricultural and mountain products and Afghanistan is one of the top almond exporters in the world. This plant is classified under two major types: Amygdalus communis (sweet almonds) and Amygdalus amara (bitter almonds). Moreover, Afghanistan has high-quality almonds with unique characteristics that are very good for exporting to customers around the world. Because of the suitable weather of Afghanistan, especially in the central regions, almonds have a very sweet flavor, special size, and color in the world.
Almonds seasons
Almond plant flowers open at the beginning of spring. Some provinces of Afghanistan have their own traditional festivals during the almond blossom season. The people and farmers show their interest in growing almond plants and start new seasons by enjoying almond blossoms everywhere around the region.
After the start of the spring season with almond blossoms, it takes around five to six months to reach the almond-harvesting season. When the almonds are ready for harvest, the hulls open. Farmers harvest the almonds by handpicking and shaking the almond plants. Farmers only remove the hulls and lay out the almond shells under sunlight or in the shade for 7-14 days to completely dry the almonds.
Our products
Our Products
At Ghulghula, we export both in-shell and shelled almonds. In-shell almonds generally come in hard-shell (tools needed to crack) and soft-shell (easily cracked by hands) varieties. Shelled almonds are generally traded in two types: whole and blanched. Many other products, such as sliced, chopped, slivered almonds, almond milk, almond butter, etc., are produced from almond kernels.
Generally, almonds are used in two ways.
First: Almonds as Snacks
In-shell and shelled almonds are best for use as snacks. As it is a tradition of Indian people, 23 almonds a day is the best choice for health. Below are the primary examples of pure almond snacks:
Raw
Cooked/roasted/fried
Salted raw
Salted cooked
Flavored: either natural or artificially
Sliced, chopped and slivered in cooked, uncooked, salted, unsalted, flavored and
unflavored
Second almond as components
Almonds as components; could be used as whole or they are processed in further forms of almonds like almond flour, sliced, milk, butter or chapped and many other forms. Major components usage of almonds are as below.
Component uses of Almonds:
Almonds are either whole or further processed forms used as a component. Below are examples of major
- Confectionary: Almonds are used either whole or in a chopped
form to meet the confectioner’s specifications
- Dairy: Almonds are used in whole nut form and a chopped or
reduced size form. Products include ice cream, yogurts, and
dairy drinks.
- Bakery: Almonds are used in whole nut form as well as in a
reduced-size form. The Almond can be the primary component as
well as one of many ingredients. The products can range from
ready-to-eat products to mixes requiring further labor input.
- Prepared foods and mixed product snacks: Prepackaged recipes for various dishes can
have Almonds as an ingredient. The forms in which Almonds are utilized range from
whole form to Almond meal to ingredients for snack food mixes.
- Culinary: Culinary uses tend to be those found in home cooking as well as in the
restaurant trade. Apart from confectionary, dairy, and bakery use, Almonds can be
utilized in main courses, salads, and appetizers as well as in spice and marinade mixtures
Some local named types of almonds
Afghanistan, a land known for its rugged beauty and rich history, also boasts a thriving almond industry. With its diverse climate and fertile soil, the country produces a variety of high-quality almonds that are prized for their taste and nutritional value.
Afghanistan is home to numerous almond varieties, each with its unique characteristics. Some of the most popular types include:
Sattarbai: Renowned for its soft shell and delicate flavor, Sattarbai is a prized variety favored by both domestic and international consumers.
Qambari: Known for its hard shell and slightly sweet taste, Qambari almonds are a popular choice for snacking and cooking.
Qaharbai: Another hard-shelled variety, Qaharbai almonds are prized for their rich, nutty flavor and long shelf life.
Abdul Wahidi: This soft-shelled variety is characterized by its large size and creamy texture.
Khairodini: A medium-sized almond with a sweet, nutty flavor, Khairodini is a versatile variety that can be used in various culinary applications.
Afghanistan’s diverse climate, ranging from arid desert regions to mountainous areas, provides ideal conditions for almond cultivation. The long, hot summers and cold winters create the perfect environment for almond trees to thrive. The country’s well-drained soil, rich in minerals, further contributes to the high quality of its almonds.