The pistachio (Pistacia vera), originally found in Asia and Asia Minor (from Syria to the Caucasus and Afghanistan), is a small, bushy deciduous tree, which grows to ten meters (30 – 35 feet). The male and female flowers grow on different trees, and the brownish-green flowers occur as a branched cluster.

[Photo found here]

Pistachios usually ripen in September, unless there has been an exceptionally hot summer (in Australia they ripen in February). The hull of the pistachio is referred to as the epicarp, which is a reddish-yellow color while developing, and acquires a rosy, light-yellow tone in August when it begins to ripen. To harvest, a rubber mallet or mechanical shaker is used to cause the nuts to fall onto a sheet. The epicarp is removed within a day of harvesting; the nuts are rinsed in clean, cold water, and then dried. They are then ready to enjoy, although some prefer them salted.

So enjoy World Pistachio Day and have some pistachios today; or tomorrow, or the next day…