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Frequently
Asked Questions |
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Why are pistachios dyed red?
Does Eagle Ranch use food dyes?
Are the red chile flavored pistachios
available without the shell?
When do you harvest the pistachios?
Are the pistachios available unsalted?
What climate is required to grow pistachios?
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Why are pistachios dyed red?
Years ago, when all of the pistachios in the United States were imported,
the shells of the nuts were often blemished due to the type of processing done in the
foreign country. Americans like "pretty" foods, and the importers thought
the nuts would sell better if the blemishes didn't show. They came up with the idea
of spraying red food coloring on the nuts to make the shells a consistent color. The
coloring of the shells was so common, that many people thought the color of the pistachio
shells actually was red. The natural color is a light beige. The red food dye
is known as a "marketing cosmetic". |
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Does Eagle Ranch use food dyes?
No. We prefer to market our pistachios in their natural state. |
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Are the red chile flavored pistachios
available without the shell?
Not at this time. The demand for "nutmeats" has been
increasing rapidly and shelling and sorting processes to get the nut out of the shell are
very time consuming. Right now, the demand for nutmeats is too great to add another
product requiring a shelled nut, and the sauce, using red chile powder in the recipe,
sticks fine to the shell. |
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When do you harvest the pistachios?
September is harvest month for pistachios all over the world, with the
exception of Australia, which harvests in February/March. |
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Are the pistachios available unsalted?
Yes. Sizes and prices are the same as the salted/roasted pistachios. |
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What climate is required to grow pistachios?
Pistachios are a native plant to desert environments. The tree has
the narrowest parameter for temperature requirements of any commercial tree crop.
The desert must have chilling in the winter (1,000 hours below 45° F) but the ground
cannot freeze. The tree will grow in humid climates, but the humidity interferes
with the development of the nut itself. Long, hot, dry summers give the best nut
development. |
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Do you have a question that we didn't
answer here?
Please
contact us!
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