Are you someone who enjoys pistachios? I've found that just about everybody does. How many foods can be eaten raw or are roasted in the shell? I find even the shade of their shells alluring. Here are some fun facts that I have collected, facts that you might not know about one of the worlds most popular nuts. While it is often called a nut, the pistachio really isn't. It's a fact! The skin of the pistachio "nut" is removed during processing and the nut itself is in reality a seed of a plum-like fruit that is generally red or yellow. They are commonly known as nuts because they resemble nuts and are related to cashews.
Sumac, mangoes, and poison ivy are other plants that are members of the cashew family. Did you know that pistachios like to surf? Well, almost. California is famous for "happy cows" and citrus, but it is also the second biggest producer of pistachios world-wide. California grows 98% of the pistachios in the United States.
Iran grows the most pistachios, so Iran and pistachios should be closely associated in your mind. Pistachios are mentioned in the bible. The pistachio is one of only two nuts mentioned in scripture; the verse in question is located in Genesis 43:11. Almonds are the other nut that made it into the Bible. In Islamic lore, Adam was responsible for the introduction of the pistachio nut.
Pistachios are associated with nobility. According to history, the Queen of Sheba declared that only royalty could partake of the pistachio nut. She even banned commoners from growing the nut.
Another royal who loved pistachios was the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. In his hanging gardens, it is rumored that there were pistachio trees planted. Akbar the Great entertained by throwing extravagant formal meals that were appropriate to his royal position as the Mogul Emperor. Chicken served at those banquets were fed pistachio nuts for 6 to 8 weeks beforehand, at the Emperor's request, to enhance their flavor. Pistachios are joyful little nuts. In Iran, you'll hear them called "the smiling nut" while in China "the happy nut" is the term of choice.
In Middle Eastern countries, people call the pistachio the "smiling pistachio." In that region, it is considered good to luck to hear pistachio shells crack open while seated beneath a Pistachio tree. Pistachios are available in many different hues. Many producers of pistachios dye them to make them more attractive. In the United States, the pistachios are dyed red in order to hide flaws and make them more attractive in vending machines.
Green is the typical color of the nut. All of this should convince you that there is much more to the pistachio than their taste. Pistachios are found all over the world, leading to a varied and unique history.
Galvin Nussingten is a nut addict, especially when it comes to gourmet nuts. From employee Christmas gifts to nut gift boxes, Galvin makes everyone around him aware of just how much he loves these little green seeds. Luckily, he found Yurosek Farms, a place where he can purchase bulk pistachios at great prices. Now, he can eat as many as his heart desires.