Almond

The almond, prunus dulcis, is a species of tree native to the Middle East, and the term also names the nuts which grow on that tree. The nut is a drupe an inch or two in length with a hard, yellowish outer shell and an edible seed inside. The world's largest producer of almonds is the United States, and the nuts are the largest agricultural export of the state of California. The almost is used in a variety of dishes around the world, including baklava, marzipan, and amaretti. Additionally, almonds may be used to create a milk-like beverage or a paste called almond butter, similar in texture to peanut butter. The almost is the official tree of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.