The almond blossom season is in full swing, the town is teeming with vitality, everything is sheer magnificence! / Let’s appreciate the significance of agriculture / cement is not edible, nor pickled, nor fried!”, read one of the inscriptions on a bench next to the Machango de la Media Luna, the iconic figure of Carnival Tuesday in Santiago del Teide. At this time of year, the municipality proudly showcases its landscape adorned with hundreds of trees displaying their pink and white blooms amidst the volcanic terrain. The pinkish transformation creates a kaleidoscope of colours amidst the Carnival celebrations, amidst the pitch-black imprints of the Chinyero volcano, brooms, malpicas, tabaibas, and tunas.
The Almond Blossom campaign, organized by the Santiago del Teide City Council, commenced on January 29 and will run until March 2. It encompasses a variety of activities such as hiking along municipal trails like The Lovers of Yesterday, culinary walks, workshops, and even a community engagement workshop dedicated to the almond, a fruit that holds a special place in the identity of Santiago del Teide. These activities are designed to underscore the historical importance of almond trees in this region of the Island, where they became a vital source of livelihood, especially following the decline of cochineal in the 19th century.
