Children growing up on Bequia knew the joys of pounding almonds at the beach, and they also experienced the pain of it all! The nuts weren’t available in grocery stores back then, but they littered the beaches when in season and were a tasty treat for anyone willing (and able!) to open them. The sight of youngsters bashing away at almonds with a rock was a common sight, and yelps of pain were common too! They are NOT easy to open, and many a thumb was bruised in attempts to do so.
Almond trees grow easily on Bequia, and provide much-needed shade from the tropical sun. Their large, spreading branches form a lovely canopy under which those seeking relief from the heat can sit, the big leaves offering welcome protection from the broiling sun. The trees in Port Elizabeth are famous on the island for their shade, and are a gathering place for Bequians. “Meet me under de tree” needs no further explanation; even though there are several almond trees in the harbour, everyone automatically knows where to head for political rallies, Christmas festivities, may-pole dancing and other important community events. This collection of almond trees is affectionately referred to as “de House of Parliament”, and is a prime social spot for locals and tourists alike.
Almond trees are drought-resistant, and therefore able to grow pretty much anywhere on Bequia. When hurricane Lenny’s fury destroyed the garden at Mac’s in 1999 I was distraught, the sand and coral thrown up by the massive swells had damaged the plants and bushes beyond repair. My neighbour Rita gave us a cutting from her almond tree, and without much hope it was placed in the middle of the Pizzeria’s front yard once all the storm debris had been cleared away. That cutting grew into a lovely tree incredibly fast, and 25 years later its spreading branches still offer sun-dappled shade to customers seated on the outdoor patio.
Almond trees offer shade and that’s nice, but why hasn’t anyone made any concerted effort to profit from the delicious nuts that fall from its branches in copious numbers? The answer to THAT became obvious to me after my first attempt to open one of those nuts with a rock; the prize I received along with a bruised thumb was a tiny sliver of an almond, not the larger nut I was used to eating in Norther America – I nearly cried when I saw how small it was! It tasted fine, but after that first experience I left the pounding of almonds at the beach to the younger generation!
