Long before humans began planting them in orchards, almond trees grew wild on the lower slopes of Central Asia. They dotted the ancient Silk Road that connected the West with China, providing sustenance to the countless explorers and traders who made this difficult journey.

Early travelers are often credited for having aided the rapid spread of almonds throughout the ancient world. A popular travel food, almonds were carried by humans across many old trade routes and cities. The rugged almond quickly took root wherever it fell - thus, wherever humans roamed, wild almond trees were soon to follow.

Flourishing in hot, dry regions, almonds spread rapidly across the Middle East, Northern Africa and the shores of the Mediterranean. By 4,000 B.C., almonds were in use in nearly every ancient civilization. In fact, the almond trade played a key role in many early economies including those of France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey.

It's hard to believe it by looking at them, but the almond and the peach share a common genetic ancestor. Many speculate that as the wild almond tree migrated east toward China (perhaps carried by travelers of the ancient Silk Road), it gradually adapted to the humidity of its new climate, and over the course of thousands of years evolved into the modern day peach.