Pistachio trees are loved and eaten across the world. Whether it’s raw, roasted, pickled, cooked, they are enjoyed however they are prepared.
What many people don’t realize is that pistachio nuts and the trees that they come from come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes.
The following pages will give you an insight into some of these varieties so that you can help care for your trees and be more knowledgeable about them.
Fandoghi (Iranian Round)
Starting this list with a popular variety of pistachio trees, we have the Fandoghi tree, otherwise known around the world as the Iranian Round variety of pistachio. This variety was first recognized in the 1950s in the city of Rafsanjan, where the tree and nut continue to be grown and cultivated to this day.
It turns out that the round shape of the nuts makes them easier to pick off a branch. This is because the nuts roll right into the palm of your hand. They also grow faster than any other type of pistachio.
This variety of pistachio is considered one of the most delicious in the world. And the fact that it grows fast makes it a perfect choice for farmers looking to produce a quick crop.
Kerman
Kerman’s pistachios are famous for their relatively sweet flavor when compared to other kinds of nuts, but did you know that these delicious nuts come from a unique type of pistachio tree?
Kerman pistachio trees grow in Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan. They are large trees that produce about 20,000 to 30,000 nuts per season. The pistachio nut grows inside the shell, and the shells are usually greenish-brown in color.
As previously mentioned, this variety of pistachio trees are native to Iran, but they were brought to America over 100 years ago. Today, most commercially grown pistachios are from California.
It can be quite difficult to recognize the difference between Kerman pistachios and other varieties. As a helpful tip, remember that in general, Kerman pistachios are smaller than other pistachios.
Peter
Peter Pistachio trees were native to the Middle East before being brought over to the United States in the last hundred years. They grow up to thirty feet tall and bear large green leaves. The fruit grows on the branches and resembles a small cherry.
Peter Pistachios are considered to be one of the most nutritious nuts. A single nut contains 40% of the daily recommended intake of protein, 20% of dietary fiber, 12% of calcium, 8% of iron, 6% of magnesium, 5% of phosphorus, 4% of zinc, 3% of copper, 2% of vitamin B6, 1% of riboflavin, 0.5% of thiamine, and 0.1% of niacin.
In addition to being a delicious snack food, Peter Pistachios are also an excellent source of antioxidants. They contain high levels of flavonoids, which are powerful free-radical scavengers that protect cells against oxidative damage.
It’s no wonder that people around the world enjoy eating these tasty treats!
Kalleqouchi (Iranian Jumbo)
One of the oldest known pistachio cultivars out there, the Kalleqoucho, or Iranian Jumbo Pistachio tree, was first grown in the region some four thousand years ago!
Jumbo pistachio trees are native to the region that is now called Iran. They were originally cultivated in the area of Kerman Province in southeastern Iran.
Like regular pistachios, jumbo pistachios taste delicious. They have a sweet flavor and a rich aroma. However, they are much bigger than regular pistachios. A single nut weighs about two grams, whereas normal pistachio weighs between 0.6 and 1.0 grams.
Golden Hills
Golden Hills Pistachios is one of the oldest pistachio trees in California. The tree was planted in 1869 at San Francisco’s Presidio.
Today, the tree still produces delicious nuts for the state of California. This article tells you about the history of the tree and how you can grow your pistachio tree.
During the 1880s, the federal government began planting trees in the Golden Hills. A local nurseryman named James J. Mills planted the first tree in 1889.
Mills was inspired to plant the tree after he saw a picture of an old, gnarled tree in his travels. He wanted to create something similar for the Golden Hills. In 1890, the first golden hills pistachio tree was planted. Today, this tree is considered to be one of the most important trees in Sonoma County.
Uzun
Uzun pistachios are native to Turkey and Iran. They are used in Turkish cuisine, particularly in desserts such as baklava. They are also eaten fresh in salads.
As far as nutrition goes, Uzun pistachios are low in calories and contain no saturated fats. This means that they are a healthier alternative than many other nuts.
In addition to being nutritious, Uzun pistachio trees produce large crops of fruit every year. This makes them a popular choice among farmers. Uzun pistachios are also known for their unique flavor and are available for purchase online and in grocery stores.
Badami (Semi-Long)
For another variety of pistachio from Iran and its surrounding areas, Badami pistachio is, as the name implies, a type of nut that sits in between long and round varieties of pistachios, giving an almost almond appearance to them.
This type of pistachio is usually harvested around the beginning and middle of fall, during September, all the way to the middle of October.
The Badami pistachio has been noted as having a few health benefits to it. It is high in unsaturated fats, and consumption of this kind of pistachio whilst pregnant has shown to benefit the brain growth of your unborn fetus.
Lost Hills
The Lost Hills pistachio trees were planted about 100 years ago. They are located near the town of Lost Hills, California. The trees were originally planted by a man named John Hill. He was a farmer who lived nearby.
There are several interesting facts about the lost hills pistachio trees. First, the trees are still alive and well. Second, the trees are still producing nuts. Third, the trees are still growing. Fourth, the trees are still fruiting every year. And finally, the trees are still spreading out.
Whilst many new trees have since been grown as the older trees have died off, today, there are still two living pistachio trees in the area where the original trees grew. These two trees are over one hundred years old.
Kirmizi
Kirmizi pistachios are known for their delicious flavor and beautiful appearance, often coming in a more reddish hue than other types of pistachios.
This variety is one of the few that we know didn’t originate from Iran, at least as far as we know. Kirmizi pistachios are instead from Turkey, where this type of pistachio is considered a delicacy.
There are different varieties of kirmizi pistachios. Some are sweet, while others are sour.
Kirmizi pistachio trees are found in many regions of Turkey, including the Black Sea coast, the Aegean region, the Mediterranean island of Rhodes, and the city of Istanbul.
Kirmizi is an important part of Turkish cuisine. In the past, people ate them fresh, roasted, salted, and ground into flour. Today, they are still eaten raw, roasted, and ground into flour for use in loaves of bread and sweets.
Aegima
Aegima is another variety of pistachio that isn’t originally from Iran. This cultivar is most associated with Greece, where it grows in its largest quantities.
This type of pistachio tree grows quite well all across the Mediterranean. Outside of Greece and its islands, Spain is probably the best place to go for this kind of pistachio plant.
These trees are drought tolerant and require little water. They have a moderate growing season, with temperatures ranging between 55°F and 85°F.
Like many other pistachio trees, it takes a long time for this tree to start producing nuts. It takes three years for the trees to bear fruit and five years for the trees to mature.
After ten years, the trees begin to flower and produce nuts. Nuts are then harvested after a few years when the mature tree starts to grow more nuts on it.
Kernel
Kernel Pistachios are delicious nuts that come from the kernel inside the shell of a pistachio nut. They are usually eaten raw or roasted.
They are sometimes used in baking and cooking. The kernels are available in supermarkets and specialty stores.
There are many types of kernel pistachios, such as white, brown, red, black, and green. White kernel pistachios are the most popular type of kernel pistachio. They are often found in grocery stores. Brown kernel pistachios are darker than white kernel pistachios. They are typically sold in bulk bins at farmers’ markets.
Gum Drop
One of the newest cultivars to have been grown for pistachios, gumdrop pistachios were first grown and patented in California only a few years ago in 2016.
They are very similar to the Kerman and Golden hill varieties of pistachios that are also grown in California.
This variety, however, blooms notably quicker than its counterparts, blooming anywhere between 5 and 10 days earlier, depending on the type of pistachio. As such, they have become very popular in only a short amount of time.
Turkish Antep
Another pistachio nut with a red tint to it, the Turkish Antep pistachio, is one of the smallest varieties that you’ll find out there. It’s also one of the smallest varieties that you can find on the market.
Unsurprisingly, given their name, this type of pistachio is most often grown in Turkey, as well as other Mediterranean countries. Turkey still produces about 60% of the world’s supply of antep pistachios to this day.
These pistachio trees grow well in Mediterranean climates, and they thrive in warm temperatures ranging from 40°F to 85°F (4°C to 29°C). These nuts are extremely popular among pistachio lovers worldwide.
The Turkish antep pistachio tree grows quickly and can reach heights of up to 30 feet (9 meters).
These particular nuts are rich in protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. They are rich in potassium and magnesium, two essential nutrients that help maintain muscle mass and bone health.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a surprising number of different pistachio trees and nuts out there. Some of these nuts are more common than others, but all of them are delicious!
