February 26 2024 – Pistachios

Happy National Pistachio Day! Pistachios are native to present-day Iran and Afghanistan, and there’s archeological evidence that people have been snacking on pistachios since at least 6750 BCE. Pistachio trees can live up to 300 years. They take around 7 to 10 years to reach significant production, with peak production reached around 20 years.
The Romans introduced pistachios from Asia to Europe in the first century AD. They’re cultivated across southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa as well as in the Western United States. Today, the U.S. and Iran are the top producers, accounting for 72% of the world’s total production. 99% of American pistachios are grown in California, with the other 1% grown in Arizona and New Mexico.
Pistachios get their green color from antioxidants, but there was a time when they were red! Until the 1970s, America imported most of its pistachios. The American pistachio industry didn’t take off until 1979, when an embargo on Iranian pistachios was enforced because of the Iran hostage crisis. Traditional harvesting methods gave imported pistachios splotchy, stained shells. So Middle Eastern producers started dying them bright red to hide the stains. Red pistachios started disappearing in the 1980s as America started producing more pistachios with better harvesting methods.
Pistachios are a healthy snack, nutrient dense and rich in vitamins and minerals. They’re a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fat. Studies have also found that eating pistachios daily could help reduce risk factors for heart disease. Learn more here.