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Almond Varieties and Classifications
Download Almond Variety Brochure
As if one variety of almonds wasn’t versatile enough to set your creativity free, there are about 25 major almond varieties produced in California orchards. Each variety has distinct characteristics, which are important to understand so that you can select the appropriate almond for your needs.
California Almond Classifications
California Almond varieties are categorized into five broad classifications for marketing purposes based on distinguishing characteristics such as size and shape. The majority of almond production in California falls into the following three major classifications: Nonpareil, California, and Mission. Some varieties may fall under more than one classification since they have characteristics of one type (such as Mission), but are also blanchable (a requirement of the California classification).
Nonpareil
With the widest range of uses among the marketing categories,
Nonpareil are readily blanched (skin removal) and cut for processed forms. A
thin outer shell and smooth kernel allow for easy, blemish-free processing.
As a result, Nonpareil are used anywhere an attractive appearance or a strong
almond identification is important.
California
This classification includes a number of varieties that are blanchable and
used primarily in manufactured products. California-type almonds have a wide
range of shell hardness, kernel shapes, skin color, and surface
characteristics. As a result, they are quite adaptable and well suited for
nearly any process or application.
Mission
Mission almonds have hard shells, and their
kernels are small, wide, and often plump. The kernel skin is generally darker
than Nonpareil and wrinkled, which enhances salt and flavor adherence.
Blanching is not as common for this type.
Major California Almond Varieties
It is possible to order California Almonds either based on the broad classification type or specific varieties. It is recommended to be very specific on either the specific variety or classification preferred when placing orders to ensure delivery of the exact almonds you intended. For example, ordering “Mission” without specifying “Mission Variety” could result in delivery of various almonds that fall under the “Mission Classification,” such as the Butte, Padre, or Fritz varieties.
|
Variety |
Classification Type |
Harvest |
Shell |
Nut |
|
Nonpareil |
Nonpareil |
Blooms and harvested early. |
Soft shell; brown color; high suture opening. |
Medium, flat shape; light color; smooth surface. |
|
Carmel |
California type |
Harvested 25-30 days after Nonpareil |
Soft shell; good shell integrity; fair suture opening. |
Medium, narrow shape; slightly wrinkled surface. |
|
Butte |
California and Mission type |
Harvested 25-30 days after Nonpareil; versatile kernel applications. |
Hardshell; good shell; integrity; no suture opening. |
Small, short, wide shape; wrinkled surface. |
|
Padre |
California and Mission type |
Harvested 25-30 days after Nonpareil; similar to Butte. |
Hardshell; good shell; integrity; no suture opening. |
Small, short, wide shape; dark brown; wrinkle surface. |
|
Mission |
Mission type |
Harvested
40–60 days after |
Hard
shell; good shell |
Small,
short wide shape; |
|
Monterey |
California type |
Harvested
40–60 days after |
Hard
shell; brown color; |
Large,
long narrow |
|
Sonora |
California type |
Harvested
7–10 days after |
Paper
shell; dark brown |
Large,
long narrow |
|
Fritz |
California and Mission type |
Harvested
40–60 days after |
Soft
shell; light color; good |
Small,
medium plump |
|
Peerless |
Inshell-Hardshell |
Harvested
7–10 days after |
Hard
shell; light color; |
Medium,
wide shape; |
|
Price |
California type |
Harvested
7–10 days after |
Paper
shell; dark brown |
Small,
short narrow |
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