From beer to plastic, why California's almond blooms are more than just a stunning sight

Almond farmers and researchers are getting creative

Chelsea Ritschel
New York
Tuesday 26 March 2019 20:38 GMT
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The California almond industry is doing what it takes to become sustainable
The California almond industry is doing what it takes to become sustainable

You’d be forgiven for mistaking California’s stunning almond blooms for a botanical garden.

Rows of white, pink and purple stretch before you, with locals nicknaming the phenomenon “the valley snow”. The orchards have received a particularly spectacular bloom this year in the Mediterranean climate – the ideal scenario for almonds.

The versatility of this nut is being realised, with production booming over recent years. Although historically associated with wine vineyards, California is also the home of the almond, with 80 per cent of the world's almonds grown in the state.

In addition to committing to a sustainable industry - one that hopes to achieve zero waste in the almond orchards by 2025 - growers are finding ever more creative uses for the nut, and not just as a dairy-alternative milk. We went to check out the California almonds to see the mesmerising blooms, and find out more about some of the surprising uses you may not have thought about:

Health benefits

The benefits of eating almonds are widely recognised - as the almond nut is packed full of nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, calcium and potassium and eating raw almonds can help lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, and lower blood pressure.

However, the almond can also benefit your body's outer health - as almond oil is one of the most popular natural oils used in cosmetics.

As a cosmetic option, almond oil can decrease inflammation, and moisturise skin and hair, due to its emollient properties.

The vitamin E in the oil has also been studied for its uses in protecting cells against sun damage, and there is also evidence that the oil can reduce scarring and improve skin tone.

Helping the bees and the environment

For almonds to grow, the blossoms must be pollinated by bees. But, rather than a chore, the task is mutually beneficial, as the almond orchards actually the honey bees with a nutritious food source.

According to the Almond Board of California, almond pollen provides all 10 of the essential amino acids bees require in their diet.

In return for the work of the honey bees, almond farmers do what they can to thank the bees - by planting wildflower mixes and bee pastures.

The industry has also invested more in honey bee health research than any other crop group - ensuring that the honey bees do not die out.

Almond orchards can also have positive effects on the environment. With a lifecycle of about 25 years, almond trees store a significant amount of carbon. Almond farming practices are offsetting about 50 per cent of their carbon emissions, according to research.

At the end of their 25-year lifespan, the old trees are removed and ground up into small woodchips - which are then spread in the soil, where they will eventually decompose and release nutrients the next orchard can use.

Using old shells

Researchers and almond farmers have also thought of the other parts of the almonds not frequently used, as rise in almond production also meant an increase in something else – waste. After using the nut, farmers were left with a huge amount of shells.

“For every pound of almonds we produce, we get two pounds of hulls,” says Danielle Veenstra, an almond farmer who works with the Almond Board. “We’re always trying to figure out the best use of these.”

At first farmers would feed these to cows, or even as livestock bedding, but they’re starting to look for new solutions.

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California bioproducts research leader Bill Orts showed us around a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) research facility in Albany, California, where some of these alternatives are being studied, perfected, and hopefully implemented in the future.

One useful property of almond hulls is the sugar, which can be extracted to make beer and cider as a healthier alternative to commonly used corn syrup.

Another experiment resulted in the creation of kombucha - a fermented tea drink known for its health benefits. It was surprisingly tasty, and it has the added benefit of helping reduce waste in the industry.

USDA researchers have created kombucha from almond waste 

Plant-fuel was also previously an option, but the plants cost millions to build and there may be no return on investment - which means USDA researchers and startups are focused on alternatives that could have higher value than burning the material for energy, for example, plastics.

One experiment sees the shells being turned into an incredibly versatile powder. By adding the black powder to recycled plastics, it can make the material stronger - so combining two types of waste to make a whole new product. Adding almond shells to plastic products also reduces the amount of petroleum-based plastic.

We also saw the almond waste turned into new life, as one researcher showed us an experiment comparing mushrooms grown in peat moss, which is typically imported, versus almond hulls.

Researchers are growing mushrooms in almond hulls 

Whether it is for fast-food containers and plastic spoons, or materials to be used in the creation of tyres and beauty product containers, or for growing mushrooms, the almond farmers and the state of California are dedicated to ensuring the almond industry is sustainable.

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