Pistachio is one of those delicious and unique nuts that is known for its relatively sweet taste and attractive and pristine color. Pistachios are one of the oldest nuts in the world and have been cultivated in the Middle East for thousands of years. Like all nuts, pistachios are packed with beneficial nutrients, but they also have some unique properties that set them apart from other nuts. In this article, we explain different types of pistachios.
Different types of pistachios can be used as a snack or in baking sweets and food, etc., and its nutritional benefits, along with its unique taste, make pistachios very popular. In any case, it might be interesting to know that there are different types of pistachios in Iran, and if you have problems buying pistachios and choosing the right type, it is completely justified.
Types of pistachios in Iran based on appearance
As we said, the number and variety of pistachios in the world is very large, and more than 60 types of pistachios have been identified in Iran. However, in short, Iranian pistachios can be divided into several types of pistachios, Akbari, Kale Qouchi, Ahmad Aghaei, Badami, and Fandagi (or Ohadi). The types of pistachios in Iran are divided into two categories: hazelnut and almond pistachios, which you can learn about each of them below.
Hazelnut-shaped pistachio: Types of pistachio
One of the most famous types of pistachios in Iran is the hazelnut pistachio, which of course is also known as the Ohadi pistachio. This type of pistachio is called hazelnut pistachio because it has a round and hazelnut-like appearance, and of course in the world it is known as Round instead of hazelnut pistachio. In almost all the provinces that grow pistachios, hazelnut pistachios are also cultivated; From Kerman, Yazd and Razavi Khorasan to Fars, Markazi, Qazvin and even Tehran! But the hub of hazelnut pistachio cultivation is Kerman province.
Two varieties of the famous round pistachios are ram-head (Kale Ghochi) pistachios and Ohadi pistachios. Kale Ghochi (ramhead) pistachio is one of the most popular pistachio varieties for export, and Ohadi pistachio is also known as the most famous type of pistachio in the country. This pistachio is harvested in the middle of September, and for this reason, you can find its fresh type in fruit stores at this time.
Almond-shaped pistachio: Types of pistachio
Another type of pistachio in the category of pistachio types based on appearance is almond pistachio. The main variety of this category is Zarand almond pistachio, which, as its name suggests, has its roots in Zarand city, Kerman. But Akbari pistachio, Ahmed Aghaei and Noug white pistachio cultivars (the main place of its cultivation is Noug Rafsanjan) are also included in this category, each of which has a separate story and we will mention them below. Of course, they say that the cultivation of this type of pistachio, which has an elongated and almond-shaped appearance, is currently more in Khorasan than anywhere else in Iran. But Kerman and Yazd also grow this type of pistachio.
We have said all this about pistachios, but we have not yet introduced them in detail! So stay with us as we continue to introduce the types of Iranian pistachios.
Ohadi Pistachio (hazelnut-shaped or round)
One of the most popular types of Iranian pistachios is Ohadi pistachio. This pistachio accounts for 60-70% of Iran’s pistachio production. But why is this pistachio called Ohadi? Many years ago (20s and 30s), a farmer named Mr. Ohadi discovered and identified this pistachio in the village of Fathabad, Rafsanjan, and then because he did not have much creativity; He puts his last name on it and this pistachio becomes Ohadi! For about three decades, this pistachio has found its way to other places, including Khorasan. Ohadi pistachio or hazelnut pistachio, which of course is also called round in the world markets, is a round pistachio and it is known as hazelnut pistachio because of its round and hazelnut-like appearance.
Hazelnut pistachio, with its hazelnut-shaped appearance, purple top color and beige skin, is one of the most affordable Iranian pistachios. Due to the small size of this product, there will be more pistachios in each kilo, and therefore it is a good choice for various occasions such as Nowruz Eid, Yalda Night, Chaharshanbesuri nuts, etc. Of course, Ohadi pistachio has many fans at the global level and accounts for a large part of exports. This type of pistachio is harvested in the early September, and at this time of the year, you can find Owadi pistachios fresh from the market.
Ramhead Pistachio: Types of Pistachio
Ramhead (Kalehgouchi) pistachio is one of the most popular Iranian pistachios, but of course, this popularity is not only limited to Iran. A large part of the pistachio production is exported to European countries. This pistachio is known for being large and of course expensive! The ram’s head pistachio is round (hazelnut-shaped) and large in appearance, and its kernel is larger than other pistachios. The surface color of this red pistachio is gray and the color of its skin is relatively dark white. Since ram’s head pistachios are large, there are fewer of them per kilo, but despite this, its large size and round shape have made it very popular in the market. The taste of ram head pistachio is also very delicious. This pistachio is harvested in the middle of September, so we suggest that if you see it, don’t forget to buy it.
Ahmad Aghaei Pistachio
One of the newest types of Iranian pistachios is Ahmad Aghaei pistachio. The high yield and the relatively short time required for fruiting have made it one of the best export pistachios in the country. Ahmad Aghaei pistachio fruit is elongated and can be found from 22 to 34 ounces. The color of the skin of this product is white and its core is red. If you are one of those people who pay a lot of attention to the taste of their food, you should go for Ahmad Aghaei pistachio among the types of pistachios in Iran. With its amazing taste, this pistachio is the first word not only in Iran but also in the world markets.
Ahmed Aghaei’s pistachio is also known as Long Pistachio in the world, and of course, it has many fans because of the smiling faces; It means that the smiling gap of this pistachio is the same and the same size on both sides of the back and fron. Ahmad Aghaei pistachio has a lower price compared to Kale Ghochi pistachio and Akbari pistachio, But it has a higher price than hazelnut pistachios. Ahmad Aghaei pistachio cultivation is done in many cities and provinces, but in general, Kerman province and Rafsanjan City are the biggest producers of this type of pistachio. We should also add that Ahmad Aghaei pistachios are not only used for nuts but also for the production of pistachio slices which is used in Iranian cuisine.
Akbari Pistachio
One of the valuable Iranian pistachios is the Akbari pistachios. In fact, this pistachio has the highest economic value. Akbari pistachio fruit is almond-shaped, elongated, and large. Its surface color is bone-dark cream and its core is purple-brown. ounce of Pistachio Akbari is between 22 and 24. This pistachio is harvested in late of September, which means that it may suffer a lot from the heat of summer.
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