Uncovering the nutty truth : Fascinating Facts about Pistachios

Pistachios and people go way back…9000 years in actual fact!! This perhaps qualifies the pistachio as being the oldest snack food in the world. That it goes back so far makes for no surprise that the pistachio is one of two nuts referred to in the Bible, this nut was grown in the Garden of Eden. The other nut being the almond.

This is a true representation of the family to which the pistachio belongs!! The pistachio belongs in the same family as the cashew, mango and sumac…all are botanically related, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. To make the family a little more unusual…poison ivy is also a member of this family.

When considering true definitions, the pistachio does not really qualify as a nut. It is a “drupe” which is a fleshy tree fruit that contains a shell covered seed – this can be likened to typical stone fruit. BUT the difference with a pistachio is that we get rid of the fleshy outside to eat the delicious seed whereas usually we eat the fleshy fruit and discard the seed.

Everyone wants a bit of happy in their life…the pistachio is just that. The half open shell has been likened to a smile so much so that people in Iran refer to the pistachio as the “smiling nut” whilst in China it is known as the “happy nut”.

During the Chinese New Year, pistachios are gifted as symbols of health, happiness, good fortune and prosperity. During Dilwali, pistachios are known as a “hot food” owing to their perceived ability to maintain body warmth. Gifting this nut symbolises love and good wishes.

No need for a crown to feel like royalty…a feast of pistachios will make you royal! The Queen of Sheba declared the pistachio a royal nut and forbade commoners from growing them. Quite clearly, the Queen did not want to share this delicacy.

Ever wonder what to do with the shells of the pistachios? At Redsands Produce, we have thought about using the shells as mulch however it seems that Turks have far more elaborate plans. In 2014, a plan was hatched to cook the shells to produce methane gas to then fuel a town. It is understood that this plan has yet to come to fruition but it would surely be the most unique form of energy…with rising energy costs, this could be the solution!!

Pistachios are generally purchased for consumption in the shell. Research has shown that consumption of this in-shell nut is up to 41% less due to the empty shells providing a visual cue as to how much has been eaten. Sceptics would suggest that the effort involved in eating pistachios results in less consumption. Regardless, less consumption equates to healthier snacking.

Who wouldn’t want to enjoy this happy food that dates back to our earliest ancestors? Better still, who wouldn’t want to gift their loved ones with a gift that symbolises good fortune and health?

Click below to purchase pistachios from Redsands Produce – minimally processed and ready to be enjoyed. Straight from the tree, naturally!