An almond "nut" looks like an elongated, teardrop-shaped seed, typically light brown in color and encased in a thin, papery skin.
While commonly called a nut, an almond is technically the seed of the almond fruit, which is a drupe. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Shape: Elongated and oval, often with a slightly pointed end. They are generally uniform in shape, though slight variations exist.
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Color: The seed itself is usually light brown to tan. The thin skin covering the seed can be a darker brown.
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Texture: The outer skin is papery and somewhat brittle. The seed itself is smooth and hard. When blanched (skin removed), the almond is ivory or cream-colored.
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Size: Almonds vary in size depending on the variety, but they are typically about 1-1.5 inches long.
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In the fruit: Before being harvested, almonds are found inside a hard shell, which is then encased in a leathery hull. As the fruit ripens, this hull splits open, revealing the shell containing the almond seed. This entire structure resembles a small, unripe peach before it matures.
In summary, an almond "nut" (seed) presents as a light brown, teardrop-shaped seed with a thin, papery skin, enclosed within a hard shell prior to processing.
