In the spring of 2003, we introduced our customers to Marcona Almonds from Spain’s Catalan region. They have now taken off in popularity and have skyrocketed in price. Marcona is a special almond with a hard shell, a large, very wide, flattish shape and a delicious flavor. In 2003 there was no thought to growing them in California, but now in the Central Valley there is a planting of some 500 acres. We should be seeing some California production in a couple of years.

I have found a new source for Marcona almonds from Spain. The producer is Coselva, the producer of 10% of all the Marcona production in Catalunya. Not oily (this is one of the faults of some of the Marconas found in our market) the Coselva Marcona Almonds are lightly fried in vegetable oil, lightly salted, and packed in a nitrogen flushed 300g can with an easy open top.

Marcona almonds are very special, not to say habit forming. Their flavor is fuller than the usual Nonpareil almonds found on the market and are the best for enjoying as a tapa before lunch or dinner as is done throughout Spain.

Due to the terrible drought in Spain in 2005, stocks of Marcona almonds are limited. But right now we have these very good ones.