Where do Pistachios Come From
Pistachios are a popular edible nut that are usually sold fresh or roasted, with or without the shell. They are often eaten as a snack and may be mixed with other nuts. However, pistachios are also used to create products such as; pistachio butter (a substitute for peanut butter), ice cream, baklava and pistachio salad. Pistachios are popular for their many health benefits including their ability to reduce levels of harmful cholesterol. They also a good source of vitamin B1, B6, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Let’s take a look at where these popular nuts come from.
Where do pistachios come from?
The pistachio nut comes from the pistachio tree. This tree can grow up to 10 m (33 ft) tall and take about 7-10 years to begin producing a commercially viable amount of nuts. The peak production is reached when the tree is 20 years old and a tree of this age will produce about 50kg of pistachios every 2 years.
Where are pistachios grown?
The Pistachio plant has adapted to growing in the desert and can even tolerate soil with a high salt content. They are extremely hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. The modern pistachio originally came from Persia (modern day Iran) and it quickly spread into the Mediterranean area. It had since been translocated to many other countries including the United States. Today, the largest producers of pistachios are Iran, the United States, Turkey, Syria and China. Most of the pistachios grown in the United States are located in California.
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