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	Search Quick Order Form» Departments Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath More Ways to Shop Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors Newsletter Sign Up Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!		Library Home > Food Guide > Pistachios PISTACHIOS Introduction Buying and storing Preparation tips Nutritional highlights Health benefits and concerns References Pistachios are a popular snack food and are often used in Indian and Mediterranean cuisines. Pistachio nuts have green kernels with a delicately sweet taste. They have fairly hard shells that split open lengthwise when the fruit is ripe. Varieties A member of the cashew family, the pistachio nut comes from the pistacia plant, one of among nine species of aromatic shrubs and trees. The variety that produces edible pistachio nuts is the Pistacia vera. Pistachios are cultivated in central Asia, the Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, and the United States, especially in California. Buying and storing tips Pistachios are available roasted and salted in their shells, which are often dyed red to accentuate their naturally pinkish hue. Shelled pistachios are available in vacuum-packed jars or cans. Availability Pistachios are generally available year-round. Preparation, uses, and tips Pistachios are a popular snack food and are used to make a variety of sweet and savory foods, from ice cream to pâtés. Pistachio nuts are especially popular in Indian and Mediterranean cuisines. To remove the brownish skin, blanch pistachios in boiling water for about two minutes. Drain and cool slightly, then rub off the skins while still warm. Nutritional Highlights Pistachios (raw), 30 nuts (18g) Calories: 99 Protein: 3.68g Carbohydrate: 5.25g Total Fat: 7.7g Fiber: 1.8g *Good source of: Vitamin B6 (0.31mg ), and Thiamine (0.157mg) *Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines. Health benefits and concerns Prostate cancer Alpha-linolenic acid is a fatty acid found in many foods. Most, but not all, studies have found that high dietary or blood levels of alpha-linolenic acid correlate with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid are high in almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, flaxseed, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts. Health benefits and concerns for nuts and seeds Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other nuts and seeds. Read about health benefits and concerns for nuts and seeds for a full description.

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