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Pistachio, (Pistacia vera), small tree of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) and its edible seeds, grown in dry lands in warm or temperate climates. The pistachio tree is believed to be indigenous to Iran. It is widely cultivated from Afghanistan to the Mediterranean region and in California. The seed kernels can be eaten fresh or roasted and are commonly used in a variety of desserts, including baklava, halvah, and ice cream. They are also used for yellowish green colouring in confections. The seeds are high in protein, fat, dietary fibre, and vitamin B6.

The pistachio tree has wide-spreading branches but rarely exceeds 9 metres (30 feet) in height. Each leaf has one to five pairs of thick, wide, leathery, pinnate leaflets. The plants are usually dioecious (bearing either male or female flowers) and are pollinated largely by wind. Borne in clusters, the white drupe fruits are 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 inch) long and tend to split at one side without discharging the seed. The “nut” is a greenish kernel enclosed in a thin, tightly adhering, reddish skin. The single, solid kernels have a pleasing mild resinous flavor. To ensure pollination and good yield, male trees are interplanted with female in a ratio of 1:5 or 1:6.

Origin of Pistachio

Late Middle English pistace, from Old French, superseded in the 16th century by forms from Italian pistaccio, via Latin from Greek pistakion, from Old Persian. The origins of the pistachio nut can be traced back to the Middle East and central Asian countries.

Archeologists have found evidence in a dig site at Jarmo, near northeastern Iraq, that pistachio nuts were a common food as early as 6750 BCE. After that the pistachio nut was not accounted for in history until about 2000 BCE when the Near East sprouted in population and less common foods such as pistachios were rediscovered and even cultivated. The hanging gardens of Babylon were said to have contained pistachio trees during the reign of King Merodach-baladan about 700 BCE. The nut is even mentioned in the Old Testament in the bible.

In the first century AD the pistachio made its debut in Rome via the Emperor Vitellius. Apicius. The nuts traveled from Syria to Italy in the first century AD and spread throughout the Mediterranean from there.

The Persians used the pistachio nut as an important ingredient for sweets as well as in other foods. When the Arabs settled in the southern part of Spain, known as Andalusia, and in Sicily during medieval times, they introduced many foods from their native lands such as the pistachio nut. California encountered the pistachio in 1854 when Charles Mason, a seed distributor for experimental plantings, brought the pistachio to this country. Several years later, in 1875, a few small pistachio trees planted in Sonoma, California.

Pistachio, originally from West Asia but known for thousands of years in the Mediterranean, was introduced as a tree in Australia, New Mexico and California in 1854. These days, pistachios are a very tasty and nutritious snack that brings many benefits to the body.

Benefits of Eating Pistachio

As mentioned above, Pistachio nut has been an important nutrient from centuries ago and thats due to a reason. These nuts help cure so many problems having a vast amount of protein and minerals. Eating pistachios helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Only one cup of pistachios contains 60% of the recommended daily nutritional value of mineral phosphorus. Phosphorus also helps glucose tolerance by helping proteins break down amino acids.

Blood health

Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin B6. This vitamin is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the bloodstream to cells, and also increases the amount of oxygen carried.

Immune system

A healthy immune system depends on the intake of vitamin B6, which pistachios are rich in. Excessive consumption of vitamin B6, however, slows down brain activity and also reduces the effectiveness of the immune system in fighting infections. Vitamin B6 in pistachios also helps the body make healthy red blood cells and helps maintain healthy lymph nodes such as the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes to ensure adequate production of white blood cells that protect the body against infections.

Nervous system

Vitamin B6 in pistachios also has great effects on the nervous system. Message molecules called amines need amino acids to grow, which in turn rely on vitamin B6 to make them. In addition, B6 plays a very important role in the construction of myelin, which is a protective coating around nerve fibers that enables optimal communication between nerves. In addition, vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, an amino acid that enables the transmission of nerve impulses to the body's nervous system.

Eye health

Pistachios contain two carotenoids that are not found in other nuts. These carotenoids, called lutein and saxanthin, act as protective antioxidants and prevent the destruction of body tissues against free radicals. Free radicals cause age-related macular degeneration, which is one of the leading causes of acquired vision problems and blindness.

Skin health

Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin E, an excellent fat-soluble antioxidant that is essential for maintaining cell membrane integrity and is usually recommended for healthy and beautiful skin. Vitamin E protects the skin from damage caused by UV rays, thus preventing premature aging and skin cancer.

Pistachios From MANI

We at MANI, offer products saturated with Highest quality Pistachios. Our MANI Pistachio snack which is available in two pack sizes of 45 and 130 grams, offer delicious low salt pistachios as a healthy snack perfect for family and friends gatherings. Our Pistachio MANIBAR which contains 70% pistachios, is a super energetic and healthy snack. We recommend taking a look at MANI's Products and check nutrition facts as well as further information sing the button below.

Nutritional value per 100 grams
Energy (kcal)
562
Fat (g)
45
Carbohydrates (g)
28
Protein (g)
20