Dare to discover fun facts about Pistachios?

Pistachios

Each year, 26 February is dedicated to the pistachio nut, which we think, punches above its weight when it comes to taste and nutrition! Pistachio lovers can rejoice as they eat their favourite nut all day long. Never tried pistachios? You’re missing out! So why not take this opportunity to go out, buy some and share them with someone who loves them. In this article, you will find fun facts about pistachios, their health benefits and fun recipes to try them out.

Five fun facts about pistachios 

  1. Did you know that in the USA there’s an annual event that allows all pistachio enthusiasts to celebrate all with food stands and delicious sweet and savoury recipes to be consumed throughout the day. 
  2. Where’s the green come from? Pistachios are the “colourful” nut, owing their green and purple hue to antioxidants.
  3. One of the oldest flowering nut trees, humans have eaten pistachio nuts for at least 9,000 years.
  4. Among its “kissing cousins” pistachios are related to the mango and the spice sumac.
  5. It was said that the Queen of Sheba herself loved these green little delicacies, which were considered a symbol of happiness.

Why are pistachios good for you?

Let’s 49 make up a healthy handful. 

Pistachios may be tiny, but pack a powerful nutritional punch. Pistachios have a glucose- and insulin-lowering effect, which mean that they may help you lower blood sugar levels. And, in fact, this has been indicated in various studies. Love working out? Well, pistachios could be your go-to! Thanks to them being high in protein, pistachios may help muscle maintenance, making them the perfect pre-workout snack. Plus, thanks to their monounsaturated fat content, in other words health fat, pistachio may help you keep your heart healthy. Don’t forget 49 make up a healthy handful!

Can pistachios go bad?

The quick answer is yes, they can! Pistachios contain oil and fat, which means they can become stale or rancid. But with proper storage, they can potentially keep for around six months at room temperature and one year in the refrigerator or freezer. Below are some tips to keep not only pistachios but your other nuts fresh.

  • Use airtight jars to store your nuts. 
  • In summer, it is best to keep nuts in the fridge (inside the jars). 
  • Keep them out of direct sunlight and make sure they are always in a dry place.
  • To keep them longer, you can put in a piece of orange or lemon peel, which will act as a natural preservative.
  • Keep them away from other strong flavored foods such as onions and garlic, as they can absorb their flavors
  • Whole, raw nuts and seeds with stay fresh the longest.
  • Shelled nuts have a shorter shelf life than those still in their shell.

Remember, these are just guidelines, as many factors including where you live can have an impact on the shelf life of nuts!

Recipes with Pistachios

Thanks to their diverse flavours, pistachios can be used to create delicious bakes and or mains. But today we’re going with some delicious bakes that you can take with you on the go.

Pistachio, Date & Coconut Tart

Recipe Pistachio, Date & Coconut Tart

This sweet is perfect as a dessert or a breakfast treat! The preparation of raw tart bases with oats, nuts and dates couldn’t be easier however, remember it will take 3h to cook but, it’s worth the wait to enjoy with friends! Quick tip! You can substitute half of the oats with some nuts for extra texture, changing the nuts according to what you have on hand. We promise you won’t regret making it once you taste it!

Nutfruit Barfi

Recipe Nutfruit Barfi

This easy recipe is packed with delicious ingredients, including tasty pistachios and macadamias. Thanks to the compact little squares, we guarantee that these little bars are great to take with you on an excursion and will become your favourite treat in no time! However, if you’re more of a couch potato, they’re still great to enjoy at home.

For more ideas go over to our healthy recipes.

Dare to discover fun facts about Pistachios?

Pistachios

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