National Almond Day is on Tuesday, February 16, 2027, and it falls on February 16 every year. It celebrates the almond, eaten whole, ground into flour, pressed into milk or blended into marzipan. The date lines up with a striking sight: almond orchards in California begin to bloom in mid-February.
When Is National Almond Day?
It’s always February 16. It’s an unofficial food day, but the timing fits. Almond pollination usually starts around February 14 and runs to mid-March, says UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Who Started National Almond Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Why Celebrate Almonds?
Almonds are one of America’s biggest crops, and the bloom is one of farming’s great spectacles. For a few weeks, Central Valley orchards turn white and pink with blossoms.
The bloom depends on bees
The trees can’t set nuts without bees. Growers aim for about two hives per acre. According to the Almond Board of California, about two-thirds of the nation’s commercial honey bee hives travel to California for the bloom.
Where almonds grow
California produces nearly 80% of the world’s almonds, Britannica notes. USDA figures cited by UC ANR put the state’s almond acreage at about 1.6 million acres in 2020.
Fresno, Kern, Stanislaus, Merced and Madera counties held 73% of bearing acres. Almonds rank second among California’s most valuable farm products, behind dairy.
How to Celebrate National Almond Day
- Toast a batch: spread raw almonds on a sheet pan and toast at 350°F for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once.
- Make almond butter: blend warm toasted almonds in a food processor until creamy, scraping the sides often.
- Bake with almond flour: try French macarons or an Italian almond cake.
- Go savory: scatter toasted sliced almonds over green beans amandine, or blend them into a Spanish romesco sauce.
- Shape marzipan fruit: tint store-bought marzipan and roll it into tiny peaches and pears.
- Make almond milk: soak a cup of almonds overnight, blend with four cups of water and strain.
- Plan a bloom drive: Central Valley orchards are usually in flower in late February.
- Check for allergies first: ask guests before serving almond dishes at a party or in a classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an almond a nut?
In the kitchen, yes. Botanically, it’s the seed of Prunus dulcis, a rose-family tree native to southwestern Asia. Its relatives include peaches, plums and cherries.
Are bitter almonds safe to eat?
No. The almonds you buy are sweet almonds. Bitter almonds contain amygdalin, and their oil must have prussic acid removed before use in extracts, Britannica explains.
Do almonds count as a tree nut allergen?
Yes. The FDA lists tree nuts among the major food allergens, and labels must name the type, such as almonds.
Is there a day for chocolate-covered almonds?
Our calendar marks National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day on November 7.