Pistachios are the seeds of the pistachio tree. They’re usually green and slightly sweet. They’re called nuts, but botanically pistachios are seeds. Peoplehave been eating them for thousands of years.
The kernels can have different colors, ranging from yellow to shades of green. They’re usually about an inch long and half an inch in diameter. But if you want to taste one, you’ll have to crack open its hard shell first.
The pistachio tree originated in western Asia, and archaeologists believe pistachios became a food as early as 7,000 B.C. They came to the United States in the mid-19th century and commercial production began in the 1970s.
California, Arizona, and New Mexico make up all of America’s commercial pistachio production. You can buy pistachios shelled or unshelled, roasted, or salted. They’re available in most grocery stores, and you can buy them in bulk from pistachio growers.
