Many of us know pistachio as a luxurious nut that is placed in the dishes during Nowruz or Yalda. Currently, the use of pistachio and its kernel in many sweets, desserts, ice creams, condiments, etc. has increased significantly. In the not so distant years, the same pistachio nuts were offered only in two types, raw and salted, but now it is available in different flavors. But the question here is which type of pistachio is the best? In your opinion, what should be the best type of pistachio in the world?
Have you ever been curious to know what is the best pistachio in the world and where is it produced? As one of the biggest exporters of this product, it is better to know how good its quality is and how much the global markets need the types of pistachios planted inside our country. To know the best type of pistachio in Iran or the best pistachio in the world, we can first examine its types. Of course, about 70 varieties of pistachios are planted in our country, and we will mention the most famous types of pistachios below.
Knowing the types of pistachios
Pistachios have different divisions in terms of ripeness and size. In general, pistachios are divided into two main varieties.
- Fandoghi: which includes the subcategories of Kaleh Ghochi, Ohadi, etc.
- Badami: including Akbari, Sefid Pistachio Nogh, Ahmad Aghaei and…
Ohadi pistachio
Ohadi pistachio was discovered by a person named Mehdi Ohadi and it is currently one of the most common commercial and export varieties of our country. This variety has a good adaptability and is a little smaller and rounder than other varieties. It is also considered an early ripening variety. Almost 60% of the pistachio planting lands in Rafsanjan are from this variety. The largest volume of exports is also allocated to this variety. For parties and Eid days, this variety is used more than other varieties due to the smaller seeds (there are more seeds in one kilo of pistachios) and also the more reasonable price. Its brain has a good taste and we can name it among the tastiest pistachios in the world.
Kaleh Ghochi pistachios
As we can understand from the name of this type, its seeds are large and round like pistachios. The type of trunk and branches in this pistachio tree is a bit thicker than that of Ohadi pistachio.
Pistachio Ahmad Aghaei
Ahmad Aghaei pistachio, which was first picked in Noug by a person named Ahmed Froutan in the Noug area of Rafsanjan and spread, that’s why they named this pistachio Ahmad Aghaei. Ahmad Aghaei pistachio is the second export pistachio of Iran and the most popular export pistachio due to its high percentage of sweetness, good taste, quality of kernel and white skin. This pistachio nut is suitable and tasty for all the countries that buy this product, so it accounts for the largest export volume for pistachio nuts.
Akbari Pistachio
This pistachio has a high economic value due to its coarseness and pure taste. It is bigger than Pistachio Ahmed Aghaei and has a good smiling percentage. It is considered a luxury nut and it is one of the largest and largest types of pistachios. The export of this product is also booming.
Zarandi almond pistachio
This pistachio looks similar to Ahmad Aghaei, but it is a little smaller than Ahmad Aghaei, and it is mostly grown in Zarand region of Kerman. Due to the plant base resistant to heat and salt in tropical areas, this pistachio is planted by seeding and transplanted later. It has a good taste, but it is not used much for export.
Other pistachios are also produced in our country, such as Qazvini, Ebrahimi, Sefid Pistachio Nug, Abbas Ali Damghan, etc., which have a share in the production of this product, but due to their small share, they are less important than the total production of the country.
Of course, other pistachios are also produced in other countries, such as the pistachio produced in Italy, which is considered the most expensive type of pistachio in the world. Kermani pistachio in California, USA is one of the most famous pistachios in the world. Turkey, Spain, Greece, Syria and Australia also produce some pistachios. But among all these pistachios, only Iranian pistachio kernels are red and purple in color.
The best type of pistachio
The best type of pistachio should be chosen according to its taste and appearance. Ahmad Aghaei Kale Gouchi Wakberry hazelnut pistachios have a very good taste. The fat inside the pistachio kernel is very important in its taste because these pistachios have good fat in the kernel. To choose the best type of pistachio, you have to taste it raw. The taste of salted or pickled pistachios cannot be recognized because of the spices. The taste of being old or a bit bitter in it indicates the poor quality of the pistachio.
The appearance of a good and quality pistachio can also be recognized. The uniformity of pistachio seed size and the fact that they are of the same variety is an important factor (for example, Ahmad Aghaei should not be confused with Fandakhi Dharam). Smiling pistachio is also very important and the pistachio shell should be more open to have high quality. Pistachio nuts are also dark brown and purple in Iranian cultivars. Nuts that are too dark or smelly are not of good quality. The pistachio skin should also be bright and not too dark or yellow. In general, the tastes are different for each person’s tastes, but due to the favorable weather, altitude above sea level, air pressure, and long history of pistachio planting in Rafsanjan region, this product has a different taste and has many customers all over the world.
Two types of pistachios, Ahmad Aghaei and Ohadi, have unique flavors, and Ahmad Aghaei pistachios have the best quality for export due to their good taste and appearance. So, we can call the best type of pistachio nuts Ahmad Aghaei, which have a reasonable price and the world markets have a great demand for this product. Ohadi pistachio has the second place for selling nuts in the world markets.
The best pistachios in the world
In the world, regional pistachios in Italy are sold as the most expensive pistachios. This type of pistachio is planted in the city of Bronte, Italy, and each kilo costs approximately 18 dollars. This pistachio has customers mostly in Europe. The best type of pistachio in terms of taste, appearance and even health (not having aflatoxin) is Iranian pistachio. But due to the sanctions and the lack of up-to-date knowledge, the world markets go towards buying Turkish and American products, even with this procedure, Iranian products still have a special place in the markets due to their naturalness and unique taste.
The purchase of Ahmad Aghaei and Fandghi pistachios is very widespread among Arab, European, Russian and Chinese countries. We can consider the world’s best pistachio type Ahmad Aghaei planted in Rafsanjan region due to its delicious taste and suitable fat of the brain.
The best type of pistachio should be checked from several points of view, which should have all the characteristics of a good product.
- proper appearance
- uniformity
- The right color for the brain
- The delicious taste of raw nuts
- High open percentage
- Have light skin
- be approved in terms of health
All the above characteristics are present in Ahmad Aghaei pistachio and we can consider it as a suitable product and also the best type of pistachio due to its high marketability. Because global markets also have a great demand to buy this product, perhaps it can be said that the best pistachio in the world in terms of fat and taste is this variety. Of course, all varieties of Kale Ghochi, Akbari and Fandagi are suitable for the market and have a very good taste, but based on the taste of size, smile and taste, Ahmad Aghaei introduces this variety as the best type of pistachio.
This dry fruit can be cultivated in extreme weather conditions, such as the coldest winters and the hottest summers. The temperature range in summer can be between 15 and 45 degrees Celsius, that’s why desert and desert areas are suitable areas for growing pistachios. Currently, Iran is the highest producer of quality pistachios with the production of 472,097 metric tons (each metric ton is equivalent to 1000 kilograms).
Research shows that 60% of the total use of pistachios is used in the preparation of ice cream and also in salted or roasted (roasted) forms. This dried fruit has many benefits and health benefits, one of them is the reduction of cholesterol in the human body. This fruit also contains antioxidants that are very useful for skin cells. The highest amount of vitamin E is also found in the seeds of this fruit, which in turn contains many advantages.
Why is Iranian pistachio the best and highest quality pistachio in the world
Currently, Iran is at the top of pistachio producing countries with the production of 472,097 metric tons (each metric ton is equivalent to 1000 kg) of high quality pistachios. Iranian pistachios have various advantages that separate them from their competitors. The best quality pistachios are offered to customers among the four main commercial types. The taste of Iranian pistachio has a world fame that is unique.
This flavor benefit is enhanced by roasting them at high temperatures. Roasting or roasting pistachios removes any contamination associated with bacteria or microbes that may be present in the raw product.
Below is the information about four important advantages of Iranian pistachios that distinguish them from pistachios of other countries:
1. A type of Iranian pistachio
There are different types of Iranian pistachios. The following four have international trade:
Fandoghi (40% of pistachio orchards), Kale Ghochi (20%), Akbari (15%) and Ahmad Aghaei (12%), the last two of which are growing and increasing. Each type has its own characteristics and different taste.
2. Iranian pistachios can be roasted or roasted
Due to the high amount of unsaturated Iranian pistachio oil, they have a roasting capacity between 160 and 180 degrees Celsius (hot air flow temperature). Good roasting imparts a unique flavor to the grain, while roasting removes any live bacteria and microbes from the product. It is obvious that roasting pistachios at a temperature lower than 120 degrees Celsius, which is recommended by some producers, will not achieve the above benefits (tasting and eliminating bacteria and microbes).
3. The taste of Iranian pistachios
Over a long period of time, pistachio consumers around the world have shown preference and satisfaction with the taste of Iranian pistachios. All four types of Iranian commercial pistachios have a rich, unique and distinctive taste. In this regard, Iranian pistachios offer a combination of unique flavors that give the consumer a wonderful experience.