The Surprising Truth About What Almonds Really Are
What Makes An Almond Different From A True Nut: Most people assume almonds belong in the same category as walnuts, pecans, and cashews. However, botanists classify almonds quite differently. While we casually call them nuts in everyday conversation, almonds are actually the seeds found inside drupes. A drupe is a type of fruit with three distinct layers: an outer skin, a fleshy middle, and a hard shell protecting the seed inside. This puts almonds in the same family as peaches, plums, and cherries rather than with true nuts like acorns or hazelnuts.