Best Pistachios

Pistachios are edible seeds that come from the pistachio tree (Pistacia vera), which belongs to the cashew family. These trees are native to Central Asia and the Middle East, particularly Iran, which remains one of the world's largest producers alongside the United States.

Key characteristics of pistachios:

- Appearance: The nuts have a distinctive green color and are encased in a beige shell that naturally splits when ripe
- Nutrition: They are rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals including vitamin B6, thiamin, copper, and phosphorus
- Health benefits: Regular consumption may support heart health, weight management, gut health, and blood sugar control
- Uses: Pistachios are enjoyed as snacks, used in desserts (especially Middle Eastern and Mediterranean sweets), added to salads, and ground into flour or paste

Production and harvesting:
- Trees take 5-10 years to begin producing nuts
- Harvesting occurs in late summer/early fall
- The trees are alternate bearing, meaning they produce heavy crops one year followed by lighter crops the next
- Major producing countries include Iran, United States (primarily California), Turkey, and Syria

Storage:
- When stored properly in an airtight container, pistachios can last:
- Shell-on: up to 1 year at room temperature
- Shelled: about 6 months refrigerated
- Frozen: up to 2 years

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