Almond Trees

Almond trees are an endemic Mediterranean tree, synonymous with the Greek traditions, which cultivated since antiquity. In Kythera, it thrives even in the stony and dry soils of the island. The almond trees are so important for Kytherians, that they cultivated them on the outskirts of settlements, in nearby fields, on terraces, even in the gardens inside the villages, as here in Chora. In the past, each family had some almond trees for their needs. The almond is the main ingredient of some of the most typical recipes of Kytherian pastry making, such as rozedes, amygdalota, melounia and mandoles. Traditional sweets from Chora with almonds also include: “pasta mylou” (type of cake), “achladaki me dragante” and “boudino”. During local community celebrations and weddings families and friends gather together to make the soumada, a drink made from local almonds.