Pistachio

Pistachio is a desert plant and is highly tolerant of saline soil. Pistachio trees do poorly in conditions of high humidity and are susceptible to root rot in winter if they get too much water and the soil is not sufficiently free-draining. Long, hot summers are required for proper ripening of the fruit. The fruit is a drupe, containing an elongated seed, which is the edible portion. The seed, commonly thought of as a nut, is a culinary nut, not a botanical nut. The fruit has a hard, cream-colored exterior shell, with a distinctive flavor. When the fruit ripens, the shell changes from green to an autumnal yellow/red and abruptly splits partly open. Iran and United States being leading producers, following China, Turkey and Syria being the secondary producers. Trees are usually pruned to size to make the harvest easier. One male tree produces enough pollen for eight to twelve drupe-bearing females. Harvesting in the United States and in Greece is often accomplished using equipment to shake the drupes off the tree. The pistachios are dried in hot air to reduce humidity and decrease the water level, which can make them deteriorate faster. � After hulling and drying, pistachios are sorted according to open-mouth and closed-mouth shells. Pistachios are often eaten raw, but they also can be roasted or salted prior to distribution. Some commercial pistachios are dyed red or green to improve their appearance. This is done to help disguise blemishes and make the nuts appear more attractive. Benefits of Pistachio :- Loaded with nutrients High in antioxidants Low in calories yet high in protein May aid weight loss Promote healthy gut bacteria May lower cholesterol and blood pressure May promote blood vessel health May help lower blood sugar Delicious and fun to eat