SWEET ALMOND

Oil (kernel) — Origin: Mediterranean basin

Prunus amygdalus dulcis

THE MIRACLE OF MANDORLE

Originally, the wild almond tree, known since time immemorial from the Pamir to the Aegean Sea, only yielded tiny, very bitter kernels. . . . It is impossible to know when its cultivation started through the progressive selection of sweeter-tasting, more highly prized fruit. It was reportedly introduced by the Greeks, and later spread through the Mediterranean basin along with the Roman expansion, from Italy on to Spain and Southern France. The Romans called the fruit of the sweet almond tree “the Greek nut.” The almond is covered by a velvety skin, resembling a thin, very pale green fuzz; this covers a hard shell which conceals the kernel. This oily dried fruit comes in more than fifty varieties, such as the Italian “Avola,” the Tunisian “Sfax,” the Spanish “Marcona,” and the French “Princesse.” Nowadays, California has become the almond tree’s new homeland, producing more than half the global harvest. Local beekeepers have had to rent beehives to keep up with the intensive pollination. The almond, falling victim to the worldwide enthusiasm it has elicited, may well become a precious commodity. . . .

TEACHINGS FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL

The cosmetic use of sweet almond has been documented for millennia. For relaxing massages, Egyptian ladies from the Late Period used to coat their bodies with an ointment made from sweet almond, honey, and cinnamon. . . . For the Greeks, it symbolized the faith and love incarnated by Phyllis, who died when she could no longer bear waiting for her lover’s return and was turned into an almond tree by the goddess Hera, out of pity. The almond represents fertility, much like its flowers blooming on the bare branches of the tree before the leaves come out. Legend even has it that a young virgin sleeping under an almond tree could wake up and find herself pregnant. The almond was also a symbol of happiness and plenty for the Romans, who used to throw handfuls of them on newlyweds to bring them good luck. These intertwined beliefs explain why, in many countries, the sugared almond is an indispensable gift at weddings, baptisms, and the like. These white flowers that will bring almonds to wed girls and boys, as a poem from the Provence region puts it. In the 12th century, Hildegarde de Bingen recommended the consumption of almonds to revive the brain’s vigor and the complexion’s radiance. Another tale has it that in Portugal, when the Algarve was ruled by the Moors, an Arabic prince fell for a princess from the north with blond hair and blue eyes. They got married, and there was much rejoicing, but over time, the princess fell into melancholy: her nostalgia for the snow-covered fields of her homeland was growing. Her husband decreed that almond trees be planted throughout the Algarve. In the springtime, he invited the princess to behold the view from atop the ramparts: the countryside, filled with almond flowers, appeared thoroughly white to her eyes, as if covered in snow. Her sadness vanished forever.

ON COLLECTING SWEET ALMOND OIL

The almonds harvested during the year are shelled, and each kernel is steam-processed to remove its seedcoat. Once they are clean, they are cold-pressed and filtered. Four and a half pounds of almonds will yield one quart of oil. Good sweet almond oil is faintly tinted, almost transparent; it must not look cloudy, and should exude a very light, never pungent aroma.

THE BENEFITS

Sweet almond oil has universal appeal—it is a family-friendly treatment that will suit children and babies splendidly. Its high concentration of oleic acid (omega-9) and vitamin E softens and soothes the skin: it alleviates minor itches and common inflammations. Vitamins B1, B2, and B6, which it contains naturally, stimulate the synthesis of keratin, thus enriching the hair and the nails. However, beware: it is recommended that people with nut allergies refrain from using it.

“Kisses are like almonds.”

MALTESE PROVERB

JUST A FEW DROPS

Sweet almond oil is a quintessential beauty remedy. The old as well as the young will find that the benefits and the ease of use justify its presence in any bathroom. Day in, day out, it is a moisturizer that will heal a variety of minor skin issues. A few drops will pacify the irritated bottoms of infants, and alleviate chapped and dry skin for the whole family.

SWEET ALMOND OIL–BASED RECIPES

from Officine Universelle

GENTLE EXFOLIANT FOR THE FACE AND LIPS

After a few days of joyful excess or worrisome stress, this will bring a new radiance to your complexion.

Soak five shelled almonds (with their seedcoats removed) for several hours. Crush to a powder using a mortar and pestle, then mix with one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of whole milk.

Mix thoroughly using a bamboo whisk and leave on the face for ten minutes. Then, making small circular motions, massage this paste like a scrub on the uneven or dry areas of the face, and do so even more gently on the lips. Carefully rinse and pat dry. There you are, your fresh complexion is back!

FORTIFYING OIL FOR THE HAIR AND SCALP

This Sunday treatment must be applied several weeks in a row—early in the season, it will stimulate hair growth and balance the scalp’s production of sebum.

Mix one tablespoon of sweet almond oil, one tablespoon of castor seed oil, and one teaspoon of tamanu oil. Massage into your scalp and finish by running your fingers along the lengths of your hair. Keep your hair warm for thirty minutes (or overnight . . .) under a dry, fine towel, a turban, or a scarf. A soothing session with your hair is a great way to start your week.