Had the neatest opportunity this past Saturday. I attended the Newberry Springs Hi-Desert Pistachio Growers Association meeting in Newberry Springs. I manage a little grove of pistachios for a client that is a part of their extensive estate in Apple Valley.  Over the years, we have been pretty successful in delivering healthy trees with  fair amount of pistachios, which my client roasts with sage and gives as gifts for clients at Christmas time.  My client wants to take the grove to the next level. The trees are getting mature and producing a fair amount of crop. I joined the association to rub elbows with the “professional” pistachio growers in the hopes of getting better at this aspect of my expertise.

I found out lots. Mainly what I didn’t know that I didn’t know!   Richard Matoian, executive director from the American Pistachio Growers Association, spoke on the state of the industry today and the improved outlook for American growers.  American exports of pistachios have increased to about 65% of our total crop is now being shipped overseas versus about 35% just a few years ago. China has increased their import of American pistachios from 1 million lbs to 80 million lbs from 1993 to 2011!  Virtually all the pistachios for sale in our local markets is American grown, most from here in California.

The best things I learned about pistachios is how nutritious  and healthy they are!  I guess by now we all know that nuts in general provide healthy oils and may even reduce the risk of heart disease. Pistachios are included in that group.  Did you know that for instance that 2 ounces  of  pistachios have  12 grams of protein, more than the 10.5 grams in 2 ounces of cooked halibut? Or that 2 ounces  of  pistachios have 570 mg of potassium versus a better known source of potassium, a large banana that tops out at only 487 mg? How about 2 ounces of pistachios have 6 grams of fiber versus 2 ounces of cooked broccoli has 1.9 grams?

I learned that pistachios really pack a punch of nutrition and I promise to take them more seriously in my diet and use them in my meal planning. I suggest that  you do too!