What Are the Different Products of Pistachios for Food Manufacturers?
Different products of pistachio are widely used in many countries. Due to the unique flavor and countless nutritional values of pistachios, these products are made and used in the food industry.
In this article, we are going to tell you about the delicious products of pistachio, their application and how you can make them at home!
Different Pistachio Products for All Tastes!
There are different shapes of pistachio in the market, such as fresh pistachios, in-shell or shelled pistachios, pistachio kernels, peeled pistachio kernels, chopped pistachio kernels, Kaal pistachio kernels, pistachio powder, pistachio paste, and pistachio oil. Each of these products has its applications in the food industry.
But why are pistachio products so popular? The main reason is the intense and unique flavor of pistachio nut. You can eat them raw or roast and salt them. The good news is that you can roast pistachio with your favorite flavors.
One Nut, but Various Flavors!
Both in-shell and pistachio kernels can be roasted and flavored in different ways. These pistachio nuts are a great choice for those who want to have healthy and tasty snacks in their diet. Salting and drying or roasting them bring out their strong, nutty flavor. The most popular flavored pistachios are listed as below:
Flavored In-shell Pistachios
- Roasted and salted
- Salt and pepper
- Sweet chili
Flavored Kernel Pistachios
- Roasted and salted
- Chili roasted
- Honey roasted
- BBQ
- Sea salt and vinegar
How to Roast Pistachios?
A good tip to keep in mind when it comes to roasting is to choose pistachios with slightly opened shells. The reason is that closed shells sometimes have immature or unripe kernels which are unpleasant to eat. Also, they are hard and time-consuming to open! Here are the steps for roasting pistachios:
Step 1: preheat your oven to 180°C and then spread your pistachios across a baking tray.
Step 2: bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until the nuts begin to turn a golden brown color. (Check the tray in the cooking process and shake your pan to prevent burning).
Step 3: remove cooked pistachios from the hot tray and leave them on a plate to cool.
Step 4: Place the nuts on a kitchen towel and draw the towel up around the nuts. Hold this with your hands and rub it together to remove the papery shells.
Your roasted pistachios will make a delicious snack or cooking ingredient that can be added to a wide range of meals. You can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks and in the freezer for up to three months.
More Versatile Products of Pistachio
One of the most widely used pistachio-related products, pistachio kernel by-products include:
Pistachio slivers, pistachio paste, peeled nuts and oil.
These products are used in confectionery, chocolate production, pistachio snacks, pistachio ice cream and other similar foods.
If you want to have a more enjoyable life, we recommend using Nazari Iranian pistachio kernels.
Chopped Pistachio
Chopped pistachio is one of the best and most expensive pistachio products. This product is exported worldwide due to its very green color, sufficient oil, and first-class taste. The quality of the chopped pistachio mainly depends on the green color and health of the slices. After that, its taste and oil content are very important.
Chopped Pistachio Applications
They are great for use in cookies, cakes, and desserts to provide a great crunchy texture with a nutty pistachio flavor. They can help you make a pistachio pastry, pistachio ice cream, cookies, or cakes, some people even use them as an ingredient for sausages and ham.
How to Make Chopped Pistachios
First method: (out of wet pistachios)
Before the pistachios ripen, this type of kernel is extremely green and beautiful. First, separate the pistachio kernels from the bone skins, then divide the pistachio kernels from its middle line into two halves, and then cut the cobs.
Second method: (Out of dried pistachio)
In this method, the pistachio kernel is separated from the dried pistachio (bone shell), and then the pistachio kernel must be peeled, or in other words, it must be double-skinned. To peel the kernels, pour them into a bowl of boiling water and leave for about one to two minutes. Be careful to check from time to time whether the skin separates from the kernel or not because if it boils too much, the pistachio will soften, and its color will turn yellow due to boiling in water.
Slivered Pistachio Kernel
Slivered pistachios are pistachio kernels divided into small strips. The greener the slivered pistachios and the more colorful they are, the more beautiful visually they become.
Slivered Pistachio Applications
They are usually used as a delicious ingredient in many savory dishes. When it comes to cooking, slivered pistachios are useful in both recipe and topping. You can mix this sliced nut with other nuts and ingredients to create a fantastic and colorful dish.
You can use slivered pistachios in cereal, sweets, nut mixes, or as topping for rice dishes and even ice cream.
How to Make Slivered Pistachio?
The easiest way to make slivered pistachios at home is by removing the pistachios from the main shell and soaking them in warm water until it softens a little. After that, you should take the softened pistachios out of the water and peel them.
The next step needs a little patience. You should cut the softened pistachios into string shapes with a sharp knife. After the slicing step is done, spread them on a clean towel. It is better to place them in the dry air of a room away from sunlight because if it is exposed to the sun, it will turn yellow immediately.
Pistachio Oil
Pistachio nuts have been used since ancient times as a symbol of wellness. It is one of the healthiest oils that have been extracted from the kernels. Pistachio oil possesses a distinctive and strong flavor and is bright green. Additionally, it has a high content of linoleic acid, fatty acids, and Vitamin E.
- Pistachio Oil Applications
- This oil is used as table oil to enhance the flavor of steamed vegetables.
- It is an excellent source of biotin that helps to treat hair loss by strengthening hair.
- It could be used to finish off salmon or pan-fried chicken.
- It is used to enhance the flavor of boiled vegetables.
- It is useful for baking, drizzling, and dressing.
- It is used to complement the sweet taste of apples, pears.
- It provides a nutty flavor to muffins and bread.
- It could be added to risotto or rice.
- It is used in orange juice, sweet vinegar, and honey or to make the vinaigrette.
- How to Make Pistachio Oil?
Preheat the oven to 350°. Toast the pistachios for about 4 minutes. Let it be cool. Transfer to a food processor and finely grind. In a small saucepan, warm the olive oil over moderate heat. Add the oil to the nuts and process until blended. Pour into a bowl, stir in the salt and let stand overnight at room temperature.
Pistachio Paste
Pistachio paste is a popular food product produced from milling and roasting raw pistachios. Pistachio paste is made from 100% natural pistachio kernels. It is healthier than pistachio butter as it is less oily and contains no salts, sugar, or other ingredients. It is called paste because the pistachio oil is not removed during its production process, and the fat of the product is wholly kept. It is full of fiber and essential minerals, including iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
- Pistachio Paste Applications
Pistachio paste is very versatile in the food industry. It is an excellent choice for flavoring muffins, cakes, and all types of desserts as it is sugar-free.
Pistachio pastes add creaminess, heart-healthy fats (as it mentiond here), fiber, and protein to the recipes. These properties are rarely found in regular nut butter and recipes. Also, this paste is known as a satisfying snack on its own.
For the first step remove the shells of the pistachios and any extra dries skin that peels of easily. (You can buy them without shells). Add the nuts to the food processor and start blending. Keep blending for 2 minutes. Scrape the walls of the food processor and repeat this process until you obtain your favorite paste with a soft texture.
Pistachio Powder
This product is made from shelled pistachios that are ground into powder during the process. Pistachio flour preserves all the beneficial substances of dried fruit such as healthy fats, vitamin B9, and fibers. Pistachio powder is gluten-free, so those who have special diets use it powder a lot.
- Pistachio Powder Applications
Using this powder in foods, desserts, cakes, and pastries can create a wonderful taste.
Pistachio powder is mostly used in the confectionery industry. In many Iranian and Turkish pastries, this powder is very popular and is used a lot. Some examples could be Sohan, Gaz, and Baklava.
- How to Make Pistachio Powder
Step 1. Boil a pot of water
Step 2. Keep the pistachios for 20 to 30 seconds in the boiling pot
Step 3. Drain and pat dry.
Step 4. Spread them onto a sheet tray and allow them to dry overnight.
Step 5. Grind the pistachios in a food processor (be careful not to allow the nuts to turn into butter).
Step 6. Sift the flour. (Note: Any large pieces that remain should be returned to the food processor and grind again).
Step 7. Once the pistachios are dried, roast them in the oven at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes
Step 8. Allow to cool down
5 Culinary Uses of Pistachios
Pistachios have a rich, intense taste, and they are quite as versatile as other nuts. They can be used in several ways:
- As a snack: pistachios are widely used as snacks almost everywhere, either raw or roasted. Both in-shell and shelled pistachios.
- Over salads: Shelled pistachios (either whole or chopped) are often sprinkled over lettuce or arugula salads. Pistachios can also be mixed with oil and herbs to make a creamy salad topping.
- For making sauces: pistachio powder is popular as a base for sauces and dips, like pistachio-yogurt sauce.
- Added to bread dough: Pistachio powder can be added to bread dough to give it a thicker texture with extra protein.
- In desserts: Chopped pistachios are commonly mixed into or sprinkled over desserts such as ice cream, cake, truffles, and pastries. Pistachio powder is also a common dessert ingredient. It is most well-known as the flavoring for pistachio ice cream and gelato but can be mixed into almost any dessert for creating more delicious and unique tastes.
Pistachios are also a common ingredient in dishes of different cultures:
- In Turkish dishes: Pistachios are most well-known in Turkish recipes for being layered in the traditional dessert named Baklava. This dessert is very famous all around the world.
- In Italian dishes: Pistachios are a common additive to Italian pasta (either chopped or mixed). They are used in the noodles or ground and made into a spiced pistachio sauce.
- In Indian dishes: Indians are a big fan of pistachio flavors. They use it as a major ingredient in many Indian rice puddings, pilafs, cookies, and a spiced pistachio fudge called “Pista Barfi”.
- In Iranian dishes: Iranians use pistachios as a common ingredient mixed into Iranian chicken and rice dishes. Pistachios are also served as a traditional Persian snack, roasted with lemon juice and saffron and tossed with sea salt.
WRAP UP!
Pistachios do not only make a great snack to take with you on the go but are amazing in several different recipes. If you have never tried pistachios before or don’t ever cook with them, now is the time to give it a shot, as we can assure you love their flavor and texture.
We hope you find this article useful about different pistachio products.
