Almond Trees in blossom

While it is still very cold in the northern Europe, in the south of Portugal the weather is already spring - like and mostly sunny! Portugal visitors can now experience a natural spectacle of a special kind, which occurs every year in the Algarve in January - the annual almond blossom.

It is very impressive how from apparently lifeless trees within a few days a sea of ​​white - pink flowers develop!Heralding the arrival of spring, almond blossoms bathe the Algarve in an unforgettable and dazzling show. From the middle of January they create a blaze of colour all over the beautiful Algarve and in many other parts of Portugal!

Local residents say the blossoming of almond trees is a sure sign that the winter is over! The Almond Blossom is lighting up the landscape and gives the country a beautiful flair. Each almond blossom smells deliciously sweet and reminds of  the smell of honey!
This enjoyable spectacle will last until mid/end of February.

The almond trees have no leaves at this time - they loose them in the autumn - and then the first flowers coming. The correct order for a successful almond harvest in summer are first only the flowers, then the leaves. If it is the other way around, there is no hope for a rich harvest.

About a month after flowering, the green, hairy fruit is already begins to develop, which  have a pleasant sour taste
In August, the ripe almonds are harvested, dried and processed. Then they have the sweet almond flavor, similar to the scent of almond blossoms.

A spectacle of nature that is worth to see!!!