Almond production is most concentrated in California, USA, while China's Xinjiang and North China also produce them.

Almonds generally refer to the kernels of the apricot tree, while the American almonds sold in stores are botanically actually sweet almond kernels, commonly known as badam, and the two are often used interchangeably in everyday speech. Globally, California in the United States is the most concentrated source of sweet almonds, and they are also widely grown along the Mediterranean coast in Spain, Italy and Greece, as well as in Australia, Turkey, Iran and elsewhere.

China's native almonds are mainly apricot kernels, mostly produced in the mountainous and hilly areas of North China and the Northwest, with output from Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia and other places. Large-scale cultivation of sweet almonds is mainly concentrated in Xinjiang; southern Xinjiang has a dry climate and abundant sunshine, making it a well-known domestic badam-producing region.

This type of crop generally loves light and tolerates drought, and is suited to a cool, dry climate. During the flowering period, late frosts must be guarded against, while during the fruit-ripening period, dry and sunny weather is best; rainy and highly humid conditions easily cause disease and affect kernel quality. As for soil, deep, well-drained sandy loam is most suitable for planting.

Depending on the place of origin, the flavor and uses of almonds also differ. Sweet almonds are often used for roasted snacks, pastries, drinks and everyday cooking, while bitter almonds are generally processed before being used in medicine or as a small amount of seasoning. When choosing, you can check whether the kernels are plump and whether the color looks natural; those that smell fresh and fragrant without a greasy, rancid odor are usually of better quality, and when buying you can also pay attention to the place-of-origin information on the packaging.