Iranian Pistachio Varieties and 6 Advantages

Iranian pistachios are popular for their meaty texture and richer nutty taste. If you lived 40 to 50 years ago, you would see ”the red-dyed” Persian smiling pistachios that swept the US market during the 1970s. American importers felt that dyeing the nuts would make them more attractive and in turn, would boost sales.  Iranian pistachios are no longer dyed red, but the fact remains that they are still the top choice in the market. They are available in-shell, shelled, or as pistachio products.

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Where Do Iranian Pistachios Come From

Iranian pistachios (formerly known as Persian pistachios or red pistachios) are cultivated and exported from Iran. Iran is located in the middle east. It covers a large area on the Iranian plateau. The country is known as the origin of edible pistachio or pistachio nuts. It has a special place among the top pistachio producing countries.

Why Are Iranian Pistachios Better?

The quality of Iranian pistachios is because of several regional and biological factors. Regional factors are fertile soil, suitable climate, average cold and rainy winters, sunny spring, and summer days. Long sunny days of spring and summer give the kernels ample time to assimilate as many nutrients from the leaves and soil as possible.

For biological factors, Iranian pistachios have more unsaturated fats (known as healthy fats). More unsaturated fats make the Iranian pistachios tasty and healthy. It also increases their ability to be roasted at higher temperatures (roastability). Higher temperatures release the taste and smell of Iranian pistachios. At the same time, it kills harmful fungi and bacteria existent in nuts.

Iranian pistachios produce more pistachio ingredients than any other type. More than 20 types of Iranian pistachio ingredients are currently available on the market, and the number is growing as we speak.

 Iranian suppliers  have access to a rich natural reservoir of pistachios. This enables them to find pistachios with the most suitable flavors and textures for almost any purpose. For example, ice creams taste better with more crunchy pistachios. And gourmet foods need a type of pistachio with a soft texture. You need a pistachio type with more fat content to make oily pistachio paste.

Variety of Iranian Pistachios

During the past 100 years, a new variety was developed and became beneficial in several aspects every decade or two. Curious Iranian farmers would try it by cultivating it on a tiny scale. If it survived enough to become permanent and commercially stable, other farmers would become tempted to use it.

The natural diversity of Iranian pistachios probably equals the number of regions growing pistachios, which perhaps adds up to 90 as of 2022. Each pistachio type has a local name that also signifies the quality or shape type of that pistachio. This rich nature-driven diversity is one of the main reasons Iranian pistachios have stood the test of time.

All qualities considered, Iranian pistachios are divided into three main groups:

Round pistachios:

A pistachio type is considered round if the ratio of length to the largest diameter is less than 1.5. E.g., “Fandoghi Pistachio” (accounting for 40% of pistachio orchards)

Long Pistachios:

In this type of pistachio, the ratio of the length to the largest diameter is more than 1.5. E.g., “Ahmad-Aghaie” (accounting for 12% of cultivation ), and “Akbari Pistachio” (accounting for 15% cultivation)

Jumbo Pistachios:

This type of pistachio is round but has bigger dimensions. E.g., “Kalleh-Ghouchi” (accounting for 20% of cultivation).

Classification of Iranian Pistachios

The second type of classification divides Iranian pistachios into Open and Closed-mouth. Open-mouth pistachios split when ripened. Closed-mouth pistachios don’t split at the suture when ripened. So they have to be cracked mechanically.

Naturally open (NO) pistachios are called “smiling nuts”. They are sold in bulk or retail amounts. Mechanically open (MO) pistachios are mainly used to produce kernels (nutmeats).

All types are available as roasted, salted, and roasted with added lime.

Benefits of Iranian Pistachios to Suppliers and Consumers

Iranian pistachios are famous  worldwide  for being delicious and tasty. And they have truly lived up to the expectation. They are likable by both suppliers and consumers. Here, we explain some of the physical and chemical characteristics of Iranian pistachios that have made them famous.

Reasonable Kernel to In-Shell Ratio

You get more value for your money when you buy Iranian pistachios. Iranian pistachios have a high meat-to-shell ratio. It means you get more edible meat (kernels) for your money.

The whole single jumbo pistachio, shell and all, weighs up to  0.02 ounces (around 1.07 grams). The nutmeat (the piece of the pistachio that you eat) makes up about 48 percent to 50 percent of that weight.

Taste and Safety

Iranian pistachios have a world-famous flavor for having rich contents of unsaturated oil. Their flavor can be improved by roasting at higher temperatures for at least 20 minutes.

The following list indicates the five notable factors that make Iranian pistachios tasty:

• Iranian pistachios have had thousands of years to reproduce and diversify in the country.
• Unique electromagnetic frequencies in the region affect the pistachios differently.
• The soil is more fertile, which can affect the texture, taste, and quality of pistachio nuts.
• The weather conditions and other factors affect the taste and quality of Iranian pistachios.
• No pesticides, GMOs, or artificial chemicals are used in their production, making them as natural as possible.

Roastability

Roasting is described as cooking a food item over dry heat, which would cook the food equally on all sides. Pistachios are often roasted in-shell.   

Iranian pistachios have higher unsaturated oil content. So they are more suitable for roasting at high temperatures (160 to 180°C) than American or Turkish pistachios.   

Iranian pistachios are generally roasted to improve their aroma, taste, and crunchy texture. Roasting also destroys live bacteria or fungi.  suggested by 

Some pistachio suppliers suggest lower roasting temperatures. But they will not enhance the taste or kill bacteria. 

During roasting, nuts lose some of their moisture. That describes why the fat content per ounce is somewhat higher in roasted nuts. A roasted nut weighs lighter than its raw form.

Integrity and Texture of the Kernel

Perhaps, the most attractive feature of Iranian pistachios for suppliers is the integrity of the kernel. The kernel does not come off during packing, shipment, or storage. Iranian pistachio kernels hardly ever fall apart into pieces after packaging, regardless of the type.

Iranian pistachios have a tenable texture because of their rich contents of unsaturated fatty acids.  So the kernel does not become loose in the shell  (shelling stock).

Marketability

The famous adage “a good product sells itself” is true for Iranian pistachios. The net profit margin is more significant with Iranian pistachios.  Companies can pass some of the savings to consumers.   They can be sold at higher prices.   And they reduce the need for advertisement.

Iranian Pistachio Price 2022

The approximate price for Iranian Pistachios in 2022 is something between US$ 7.72 and US$ 8.94 per kilogram (US$ 3.5 and US$ 4.06 per pound (lb)), depending on the pistachio type. Here are two reasons why the price shouldn’t matter much for Iranian Pistachios:

1- Pistachio Perception. If you have never tasted Iranian Pistachios, maybe this will help you get a picture. Iranian Pistachios are meatier and nuttier with more unsaturated fats. Your experience with pistachios will never be the same the second you start chewing on one. And this would be your description of Iranian pistachios every time you describe it to your friends: “Oh, my goodness, I munched on 6 ounces in one go and still craved more!”  
2. Quality. Iranian pistachios have most of the necessary elements you need to maintain a healthy body.  So they can meet your dietary needs. Iranian pistachios can substitute for sugary snacks. They can blend well into your plan if you are on a weight loss diet. Or, if you are gluten intolerant, Iranian pistachios will perfectly fit your need, too.

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conclusion

If you have never tasted Iranian pistachios, we recommend you do it now. Contact the nearest supplier and order a pack of healthy Iranian Pistachios. They provide almost all the essential nutrients your body needs every day.

The number of varieties and ingredients of Iranian pistachios increases on a daily basis. So stay tuned to our website for more information.

This post was written to give you the necessary information about Iranian pistachios. Feel free to leave your comments in the comment section.

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