Pistachio

Pistacia vera cv ' Kerman ' with ripe stone fruit

The pistachio tree ( Pistacia vera) is a flowering plant in the family of Sumac ( Anacardiaceae ). The pistachio nut is the stone fruit of the pistachio species, it is not a nut fruit in the botanical sense, to distinguish it from the other species of the genus pistachio ( Pistacia ) more accurately called True Pistachio.

Characteristics and crop

The pistachio tree grows as a tree reaches heights of growth of up to 12 meters and is up to 300 years old. The roots may extend to a depth of 15 meters. Pistacia vera is dioecious getrenntgeschlechtig ( dioecious ). The cores are oval and have a thin, hard shell; the pistachio seed has a brownish skin and a bright green interior ( the cotyledons). The harvest of the seeds in a two -year cycle, which results in addition to the fluctuations in the weather at the difference between the yields.

Use

Cultivation

Internationally important areas for growing pistachios are Greece, Iran, the U.S. and Turkey, whose most famous pistachios come from Gaziantep.

Growing areas in Greece are: the islands of Aegina and Euboea, Megara on the Saronic Gulf, Almyros in Thessaly, Boeotia and Phthiotis. Greece, with a production of about 9,500 tons per year at the forefront of pistachio production in Europe and comes in 6th place worldwide.

In Syria, especially the region around Aleppo is famous for its pistachios.

Germany refers pistachios increasingly from the U.S., primarily from the state of California. In 2009, 20,544 pounds of pistachios imported from there, from Iran 18,160 tons. Turkey exported 218 million pounds of pistachios to Germany.

The pistachio nut on the tree develops normally during the month of July. Pistachio orchards for centuries can contribute in so-called " alternate -bearing " cycles nuts, that is, the yield is high and low in the next year in a year. In contrast to the almond pistachio produce male and female flowers on different trees. Therefore, must be present for fertilization both male and female trees. Alternatively, branches of a male tree can be grafted on female trees. Wind is necessary to carry pollen from the male to the female flower. The air also plays a role in the production pistachio. Pistachio trees require about 1,000 hours at cool temperatures around 7 degrees Celsius or lower in order to cause the seed dormancy, which is necessary for good production. A mild winter or heavy rains during pollination can reduce the yield.

Harvest

At harvest time in September, the pistachios are shaken with mechanical Baumrüttlern on a collecting device, so they do not fall to the ground. From there they are transferred into containers and transported to the processing plant. Pistachios must be immediately skinned and dried to preserve their quality and to avoid discoloration of the shells. The enlarged pistachio presses on the surrounding shell and causes the natural splitting. The skin that serves as a protective covering, while remaining intact. If the pistachio nut is ripe, the skin turns pink and detaches from the shell.

Processing

Upon arrival from the plantation, the outer shell is removed first by a first irrigation with water and subsequent drying process. If the pistachios flow through the water, first drop the tire to the ground and transported to the plant for processing. Unripe Pistachio other hand float to the surface and be removed. After drying, the mature pistachio be stored in silos. They are then processed as required.

Nutrient content

Until a few years [ when? ] Pistachios contained as well as nut fruits increased pesticides and traces of mold. In particular, Western exporting countries such as the U.S., therefore boosting their quality assurance and food safety. Today pistachio imports are rigorously tested in the EU.

Health

Pistachios and other nuts are in traditional healing systems such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine as a mild warming, stomach -friendly foods. In scientific medicine there is no regular use for it. However pistachio- rich diets by the high content of vegetable fats may be able to improve blood lipid levels. Some nutritionists recommend overweight people eating pistachios, which are sold with bowls to slow down eating time. Proof of efficacy, this method has so far not provided.

Consumption

Pistachios are usually roasted and salted shelled or unshelled, as well as a snack in the trade. The taste is sweet, almond-like, at the same time strongly spicy. In the producing countries, you can also buy them fresh and unroasted in the season. Then they taste tender and crisp. Other uses are in the confectionery production (Mozart balls, pralines, baklava ), for ice cream and sausage production ( eg mortadella ).

Before eating, the tray must be opened because only the core is edible. Pistachios are brought for the sake of simplicity usually already broken into the trade.

History

Pistachios are one of the oldest flowering crops and are native to the Middle East. Wild pistachio ( Pistacia atlantica Pistacia or khinjuk ) have been collected since the Natufian ( Epipalaeolithic ) and detected eg in Abu Hureyra (Syria ). A targeted cultivation took place at the latest since ancient times. Pistachios spread from the Middle East to the Mediterranean area and quickly became a valued delicacy among kings, travelers and simple folk alike. Legend has it that the Queen of Sheba appointed the pistachios for an exclusively royal food and forbade the common people, they grow for personal consumption. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon had, allegedly planting pistachio trees in its gardens. In the 1st century AD Emperor Vitellius is said to have introduced in its capital, Rome. The pistachio was used as a coloring agent and remedy for symptoms such as toothache to liver cirrhosis. The high nutritional value and long shelf life have made the pistachio also an indispensable travel goods among early explorers and traders. Along with almonds pistachios were carried by travelers on the ancient Silk Road between China and the West. In the 1880s, pistachios were imported for immigrants from the Middle East to America. The rest of the U.S., they were introduced about 50 years later as a snack.

Hazardous situation

The World Conservation Union IUCN leads the pistachio tree in the Red List of Threatened Species as almost endangered ( Near Threatened ). The reasons for the risk it leads to overgrazing and excessive use of fruit.