Spring in Apulia

In Apulia, almond trees in bloom are a true spectacle of nature, coloring our territory in snowy white or various shades of pink.
It is enough to take a walk in the suburbs or neighborhoods of our cities to admire them in all their exemplary beauty and to be enchanted by the striking spring landscape they enliven.
It is not uncommon to see them in bloom as early as the beginning of February, especially if the weather is mild.
The almond tree has ancient origins, having been imported to Mediterranean countries thousands of years ago by the Greeks, and has continued to be a commodity for centuries.
There are several varieties of almond tree in Puglia, the most common being the Falsa Barese, Filippo Ceo, Genco and Tuono.
The fruit is generally harvested between September and October, and almonds are used in a variety of ways in Apulian cuisine: they can be eaten as a simple dried fruit, sweetened or roasted and salted.
They are used in the preparation of marzipan-based sweets, typical of Apulian pastries, such as mostaccioli and cegliese cookie, or almond milk-based drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Almonds from Toritto, a small town in the province of Bari, are famous. They have obtained Slow Food Presidium recognition and are considered the best on the market.
Almonds are also used in many fields, with many energetic and therapeutic properties, from the medicinal industry to cosmetics, for example.
Come and visit Apulia and its almond blossoms!