Almonds mostly grow in Mediterranean climates located between 28 and 48 degrees north latitude and between 20 and 40 degrees south latitude. Southwestern Asia is the native region of the almond tree, but about 80 percent of the world's almond supply comes from California.
There are two main varieties of almond: sweet and bitter. The most common almond is the sweet almond, which is eaten like a nut, although it is actually the seed of the almond tree. Almond oil and almond meal are typically sourced from sweet almonds. California alone grows 25 types of almonds, with other notable types coming from Spain and Greece.
