The Truth about Pistachio Nuts

Do you enjoy eating pistachio nuts? It seems like almost everybody does. Pistachios are fascinating: they can be eaten raw or roasted in their shells. Here is some cool trivia about one of the world's most popular nuts.

Surprisingly, pistachios are really not nuts. It's not a myth! Pistachio nuts are seeds from a red or yellow fruit, much like a plum, whose meat is removed during processing. They look like nuts and they belong to the cashew family. Sumac, poison ivy, and mangos are also members of the cashew family.

If pistachios were people, they would be surfers. Though California is known for happy cows and oranges, it is still the second largest producer of pistachio in the world. A whopping 98% of American-grown pistachios are raised in California. The biggest pistachio producer in the world is Iran. So if you want something good to think about when you think about Iran, think pistachios.

Pistachios have connections to the Bible. Pistachios show up in the Bible in Genesis 43:11. There is only one other nut with that distinction - the almond. The pistachio nut was also said to be one of the foods brought to earth by Adam according to Moslem legend.

Pistachios have royal connections. Allegedly the Queen of Sheba declared pistachio nuts to be a food only fit for royals. She actually refused to allow commoners to grow pistachios for their own use. The famous Nebuchadnezzar, once king of Babylon, had a weakness for pistachio nuts. It is believed that his hanging gardens included pistachio trees. Akbar the Great, the Mogul Emperor, hosted sumptuous banquets befitting his royal status. Chicken was often served at these banquets and the Emperor would have the chickens fed pistachios for 6 to 8 weeks prior, to give the chickens a more delightful flavor.

Pistachios are a happy nut and they have many nicknames. In Iran they are known as “smiling nuts” and the Chinese call them “happy nuts.” In the Middle East, if you are sitting under a Pistachio tree and you hear the shells snap open, it is a sign of good luck. People refer the pistachios there as "smiling pistachios.”

Pistachios can be found in a rainbow of colors. Pistachios are often dyed in other countries to increase their appeal. In the United States, pistachios are dyed red; this hides imperfections and makes them attractive in vending machines. Typically they are green in color.

Not only does the pistachio taste good, it also possesses many other interesting attributes. No matter where they are found, pistachio nuts have their own unique tale.

About the Author

Galvin Nussingten grew up next to a pistachio farm, so he often ate fresh gourmet nuts. Today, Galvin is a huge pistachio fan, buying wholesale pistachios at Yurosek Farms and giving many away in gift tins for birthdays and Christmas presents. When it comes to pistachos, he knows that there is no better place to buy them than at Yurosek Farms.