Nuts
Pistachio is a fruit tree belonging to the Anacardiacea and Pistacia genus. This plant has oriental origins and can exceed 10 meters in height and three centuries of age.
The cultivation areas of international importance are in the Middle East (especially Iran,Turkey and Syria), but also in China and California. In southern European countries, cultivation is concentrated in Italy, Greece and Spain.
Rich in nutritional properties, among all vitamins and minerals, it is also often used in the medical field for its many active ingredients.
Pistachio is a resistant and long-lived fruit, haracterized by a rubbery and thin husk; the fruit usually grows in clusters and is made up of elongated drupes which, during maturation, vary from red to yellow-cream colour.
Pistachio is also an ideal ingredient for many culinary preparations, both sweet and salty.
The almond tree is a deciduous tree known for its valuable nuts and beautiful spring blossoms. It features a rounded canopy with long, serrated leaves and is revered for its aesthetic appeal and nutritious nuts.
Originally native to the Middle East and South Asia, the almond tree has been cultivated since ancient times and is now grown in suitable climates worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean, California, and Australia. California is the largest producer of almonds in the world due to its ideal climate.
There are two types of almond trees: sweet (Prunus dulcis var. dulcis) for almond production and bitter (Prunus dulcis var. amara) used for almond oil and flavorings, after processing to remove toxins.
Almonds are incredibly versatile, used extensively in cooking for their nutty flavor in sweet and savory dishes. Almond milk and oil are popular in dairy-free and cosmetic products, respectively. The nuts are also a nutritious snack, rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats.
The hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel tree and therefore includes any of the nuts deriving from species of the genus Corylus.
Hazelnuts are used as a snack food, in baking and desserts, and in breakfast cereals such as muesli. In confectionery, they are used to make praline, and also used in combination with chocolate for chocolate truffles and products such as chocolate bars and hazelnut cocoa spreads.
In 2021, world production of hazelnuts (in shells) was 1.1 million tonnes. The hazelnut production in Turkey accounts for 64% of the world total, followed by Italy, the United States, and Azerbaijan as secondary producers.
