Almond Variety · Spain
BelonaThe modern Marcona alternative.
Belona is a modern cultivar from Aragón (CITA): round, pale and close to Marcona in taste — but grown in late-blooming, self-fertile orchards with plannable yields. Premium quality at plantation economics.
Profile
Shape
Round, Marcona type
Typical caliber
12/14 mm
Fat content (typ.)
~56%
Harvest
September
Main regions
Aragón, modern orchards
What buyers use this variety for
Premium snack & roasting
Round shape and high fat content — roasted and salted, very close to the Marcona profile at much better availability.
Turrón & confectionery
Where recipes call for Marcona character but volumes and prices need to stay plannable.
Premium with traceability
As an orchard variety with documented origin, ideal for programmes with full provenance documentation.
Compared with other Spanish varieties
Every Spanish almond variety has its own profile — the right choice depends on your application.
| Variety | Shape & character | Taste | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcona | Round, flat, pale | Sweet, buttery, delicate | Premium snack, gourmet, turrón |
| Largueta | Elongated, flat, elegant | Intense, lightly sweet | Roasted & salted, chocolate |
| Comuna | Compact, mixed shape | Robust, classic | Marzipan, nougat, baking industry |
| Guara | Regular, modern plantation variety | Balanced, mild | Industry, predictable volumes |
| Valencia | Trade class, mixed | Classic Spanish | Marzipan, almond flour, industry |
| Belona | Round, Marcona-type, modern | Buttery, Marcona-like | Premium snack, Marcona alternative |
| Marinada | Pale, uniform, late-blooming | Fine, mild | Blanching, snack, confectionery |
| Vairo | Elongated, robust, early | Balanced | Industry, early new crop |
From a buyer's perspective
Buying Belona: what matters
Belona combines Marcona-like quality with the advantages of modern orchards: late-blooming, self-fertile, uniform. One of the varieties of our direct-origin programme.
Marcona alternative: sample it when Marcona is scarce or expensive
Uniform caliber through professional orchard cultivation
Full traceability down to the plot available
High fat content — check sensory profile before contracting
Frequently asked
Good to know.
Belona was bred specifically as a round premium variety and comes very close to Marcona in shape and taste — at better availability and more plannable prices. For many premium applications it is the more economical choice.
Belona is a modern Spanish cultivar from the CITA research centre in Aragón — late-blooming and self-fertile, developed for professional orchard farming.
Premium snacks, roasting, turrón and confectionery — wherever Marcona character is wanted but volume and budget need to stay plannable.
Source this variety?
Direct from our verified origin — or through us as your local buyer, sourced from across the Spanish market.