The Original Prehistoric Snack
Pistachios are one of the oldest flowering nut trees, and are one of the only two nuts mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 43:11). Humans have eaten pistachio nuts for at least 9,000 years.
Early Travel Snacks
Thanks to their high nutritional value and long storage life, pistachios were an indispensable travel item among early explorers and traders, including travelers across the ancient Silk Road that connected China with the West.
Regally Gifted
According to legend, pistachios were featured in the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built about 700 B.C. by King Nebuchadnezzar for his wife Amytis.
Early Gourmands
In the first century A.D., Emperor Vitellius introduced Rome to the pistachio. Apicius, Rome's Julia Child of the first century, includes pistachios in his classical cookbook.
Royal Nuts
Perhaps a true royal nut, the Queen of Sheba loved pistachios. In fact, she demanded that the entire region’s pistachio harvest be set aside for her.
Kissing Cousins
Pistachios are related to the mango and the spice sumac.
What’s in a name?
In China the pistachio is known as “the happy nut” and in Iran as “the smiling nut”. Pistachios are also known as “the green almond”.