Wild almonds originated in Central Asia, where hundreds of different varieties still exist today. There, over thousands of years, farmers slowly cultivated the best, most flavorful almonds to eat and sell locally. But in Europe, most of these different almond varieties are virtually unknown. Few farmers in Central Asia have the opportunities to sell their products abroad, for various reasons: they’re too small to export, they don't have the certifications that importers require, they don't speak English. As a result, European consumers haven’t had access to the unique varieties of nuts found in this region, many of which can’t be found elsewhere. Basis Nuts was established in 2020 to source unique, delicious nuts that aren't commonly found in Europe. It was founded by a former UN worker, Teresa Ha, as a social enterprise to help farmers in these developing countries while providing flavorful, distinctive products to the European market.