Celebrating World Pistachio Day
The pistachio was first introduced into California in the 1930s, but it took a while to perfect the breeding of a tree suited to the environment. Now, California is producing over 550 million pounds of pistachios per year, making it one of the world leaders.
The nut is well know for its healthy benefits, containing only 3-4 calories per nut and a range of nutrients.
In China, the pistachio is known as the "happy nut" because it looks like its smiling.
Often given as a gift during the Chinese New Year, pistachios are a symbol of health, happiness and good fortune. While China leads the world in total pistachio consumption at 200 million pounds per year, Israel has the world's highest per capita consumption of pistachios as 85 percent of Israelis eat nuts and seeds at least once a month.
In India, pistachios are a major part of the population's diet and are used in a popular saffron pistachio drink. During Diwali, the Hindu New Year, and family occasions like weddings, pistachios are gifted as a symbol of love and good wishes. At one time, pistachios were considered a "hot food" and typically enjoyed during the cold winter months, but now the nut is enjoyed all year round. In Australia, during the hot summer months, many cafes near the beaches serve creamy Australian yogurt topped with shaved pistachios, as a refreshing post-swim snack.
Pistachios are a premium snack in Mexico, and enjoyed in social settings with friends or while watching soccer games. To give the snack some spice, many throw the pistachios in a bowl and add hot sauce. In France, pistachios are served with an "aperitif."
In Korea, "Daeboreum" or "Full Moon" day is celebrated on February 24 of each lunar year. In Brazil, sharing pistachios can be considered good luck and seen as a way of showing endearment.
Source: prnewswire.com
