01
The pistachio is a member of the Anacardiaceae or cashew family. This makes it a cousin not only to the lovely mango, but also to poison ivy, poison oak and sumac. As they say, one can’t choose one’s family.

02
Archaeological findings indicate that members of the Pistacia genus were being consumed as far back as 6700 BC, though the member of this genus we eat today – Pistacia vera – was probably cultivated far more recently.

03
The tree is both ancient and long-living: some pistachio trees are over 200 years-old, and still bearing fruit!

04
The Queen of Sheba was a big fan of pistachios; all production in her land was earmarked for herself and her royal court.

05
You can tell when the pistachio is ripe: it makes an audible pop. Legend has it that lovers who meet under a pistachio tree at night and who hear the sounds of the nuts popping open will be blessed with good luck.

06
Because of its unique, semi-opened shell, people in the Middle East sometimes refer to the pistachio as the "smiling nut".

07
The island of Aegina, off the Attic coast, is famous for its pistachios, which Greeks call fistikia. The pistachio tree was brought to the island from Syria in the late 19th century. However, the Aegina trees, due to climate and soil conditions, produce a nut that differ greatly from those of the same origin grown elsewhere.

08
Pistachio trees from Aegina are recognized as their own cultivar. Unlike the large Kerman variety grown in California and Iran, the Aegina Cultivar produces a smaller nut with an intense, distinct and rich flavor. For this reason they were given PDO status.

09
Pistachios are harvested by shaking the branches on which they grow or knocking them from the tree with a stick. Both methods are good for relieving aggression.

10
Pistachios have been reported as a remedy for: sclerosis of the liver, abdominal ailments, abscess, bruises and sores, chest ailments, circulation other problems.

11
Forget Viagra and trust the Arabs, who believe pistachios are an aphrodisiac. And in Lebanon pistachio leaves were used to enhance fertility.