Description: Pistachio is a member of the cashew family, and is native to the deserts of Asia Minor and West India. The U.S. is now one of the leading producers of the crop. Pistachio nuts are delicious roasted (salted or unsalted), shelled or unshelled, and they can also be incorporated into ice cream, sweetmeats, meat dishes, candy and cakes. The nut is a great source of, thiamine, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, folate, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium and copper.

Uses: Pistachios are rich in phytosterols that lower blood cholesterol levels and also have the potential to prevent cancer. They are also rich in dietary fibre: in fact, an ounce of nuts contains more fibre than half a cup of spinach. Pistachio husks find use in the tanning, dyeing and fertilizer industries in India. The tree gum is used to make blood-clotting agents and also to treat periodontal diseases.