National Pistachio Day

National Pistachio Day is an American holiday dedicated to pistachios. They have been known for at least nine thousand years. Today, pistachios are not only a foodstuff but also an important ingredient in various dishes. It is annually on February 26.

History

Pistachios are grown in many countries today. The main exporters of this product are Turkey, Southern Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan. Pistachios were mentioned even in the Old Testament parts of the Bible. Historians say that these nuts were also in the hanging gardens of Babylon. Sources have described plants with bunches of fruit that are very similar to this product.

It is believed that the Romans brought pistachios to Europe from the East around 200 AD. In the U.S., these nuts appeared in the 19th century. A century later, this product had become a very popular snack.

In the 1980s, red pistachios were sold in stores. Sellers used food coloring to make the nuts look more attractive, but this method resulted in staining of the fingers. Eventually, the dye was discarded, and today pistachios are sold in their original form. These nuts are consumed not only in pure form. They are used in the preparation of various dishes. For example, pistachio ice cream is common today.

Interesting facts

• Adequate consumption of pistachios can reduce the risk of heart and vascular disease.
• It is believed that pistachios have always been a very valuable product. This is confirmed by the legend of the Queen of Sheba, according to which she forbade the common people to grow them, and the royal court imposed a restriction on their use.
• At Nobel Prize celebrations, recipients are given pistachios and a bottle of champagne.

How to celebrate

Treat yourself on National Pistachio Day with these delicious nuts. You can also make dishes using this ingredient or visit a restaurant/café to try it. Learn more interesting information about this nut and share it with your family and friends.

Spread the word on social media. Ask other users when they first tried pistachios.

When is National Pistachio Day in 2025?

National Pistachio Day is observed on February 26 each year.

Observations