Generally speaking the almond is the kernel of the fruit of the almond although it sometimes refers to the "almond" of the peach or apricot. The almond is closely related to the plum, peach and apricot. The almond is a lozenge-shaped nut with a pale, biscuit-coloured pitted shell. The nut itself is pale creamy-yellow with dark tan, papery skin. There are two types: bitter almonds, containing Prussic acid, and sweet almonds. Of these, Jordan and Alicante almonds are thought to be the finest.
