[codefined]

The thing that surprises me the most is that one tiny almond takes about 4kg of water to grow. That means that maximally about 0.04% of the water gets used (almond = 1.5g, water = 4000g, 1.5 / 4000 * 100). Avocados, for comparison, are at about 0.5% water usage (1 / 2000 * 100). Apples are at about 0.2% (0.25 / 125 * 100).

Have since found out there's a unified measure, called 'WUE' (Water Use Efficiency), measured in (kg m^-3) water. Some examples include: Almonds, 0.4; Legumes 0.42; Cereals 2.4; Rice 0.73.

[kurupt213]

Mmmm, you are ignoring the biomass of the tree

[sidpatil]

Not just the tree, but the fruit itself.

Almond fruits are essentially peaches. If you crack open a peach or nectarine seed, you'll see an almond-like kernel inside.

Almond trees have been bred to improve the kernel at the expense of the rest of the fruit, but that rest of the fruit is a substantial portion of biomass which requires water.