Once upon a time, when the Algarve or Al-Gharb
as it was known when it was still dominated
by the Moors, there lived a king who fell in
love with a Nordic princess called Gilda.
After conquering her father's land the
Moorish king conquered Princess Gilda's
heart and took her hand in marriage.
But during the marriage he noticed his
wife was very sad. Unsettled by his wife's
sadness he called all the physicians in the
world to find the reason for her sadness,
yet none of them came with an answer.
One day a Nordic doctor found the answer
to the King's troubles; quite simply Gilda
missed the whiteness of the snow-filled
countryside of her motherland.
Hearing this, the king planted thousands
of almond trees throughout the region so
that, when they flowered, they would cover
the Algarve in a sheet of white, reminding
the princess of her snow covered home and
thus giving her back her happiness.
This is but one of many beautiful
Portuguese legends and traditions associated
with the almond tree.
All who drive up and down the region's
countryside can appreciate the flower's
gentle softness, and the grace of the cotton
candy-like trees.
But its offerings can also be tasted.
Besides the beauty of the flower, the almond
fruit makes a traditional sweet liqueur
called Amarguinha, which is a perfect
digestive to have with coffee after a meal.
Almonds are also used in many regional
delicacies, such as the pretty little almond
and marzipan cakes that give colour and life
to many a cake-shop window.
With spring fast arriving it is time to
drink in, drink up, and pay homage to one of
the Algarve's most attractive features; the
almond tree.
