Q:  Are California pistachios available year 'round?
A:  Pistachios are harvested in September, but sufficient supply and state-of-the-art storage systems allow the industry to provide pistachios throughout the year.

Q:  How can I open slightly split or non-split pistachios?
A:  As the pistachio kernel grows, in naturally expands within the shell until it splits open.  Non-split shells usually contain immature kernels and should be discarded.  Tip: Slightly split shells can be opened using one half of the shell from an already-opened pistachio.  Wedge the tip of a half shell into the split and turn it until you can retrieve the kernel.

Q:  Where in California are pistachios grown?
A:  Pistachios are grown as far north as Shasta County and as far south as Riverside County.  Because of their desert-like climate and soil, the San Joaquin Valley counties of Kern, Madera, Kings, Fresno and Tulare are the major producers.

Q:  How do I know if I'm buying pistachios from California?
A:  First, look for the California pistachios logo.  Second, note the distinguishing characteristics of the California pistachio variety: large, vibrant green nuts with open, naturally tan shells.  California pistachios are available salted or unsalted.  Some are dyed red for consumers who prefer the colorful shells.  And, shelled pistachio kernels are also available.

Q:  How should pistachios be stored?
A:  To maintain peak freshness for California pistachios, store them in an airtight container.  Pistachios tend to draw moisture from the air, and may otherwise lose their crunch.  Kept in the refrigerator or freezer, pistachios can be stored for as long as a year.

Q:  How many inshell pistachios do I need for a cup of kernels?
A:  Two cups of inshell pistachios will yield about a cup of kernels.  California pistachios, with their characteristic widely split shells, are easy to open.  It takes just 15 minutes to shell about two cups of inshell pistachios.

Q:  How long do pistachio trees live?  How long do they produce?
A:  The pistachio trees planted in California are still fairly young, but there are pistachios trees in the Middle East that are over 200 years old and are still producing!

Q:  How long does it take a pistachio tree to produce a crop?
A:  A five-year-old California pistachio tree will begin producing a small crop, and will reach full bearing when it is 7-10 years old.  Important: Pistachios are wind pollinated, so both a male and a female tree are needed to produce edible nuts.

Q:  Is there a difference in the fat content of raw almonds as compared to dry roasted almonds?
A:  Years and years of nutrient analysis conducted by the almond industry and independently by the United States Department of Agriculture has shown that there is virtually no distinguishable differences.

Q:  How do I store my almonds?
A:  Natural Almonds - Natural almonds may be stored for up to two years.  For optimal freshness, place almonds in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.  Roasted Almonds - Roasted almonds may be stored for up to one year if stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator or freezer.

Q:  Where in California are almonds grown?
A:  The almond growing region stretches more than 500 miles between Red Bluff and Bakersfield in the fertile Central Valley.

Q:  How long does it take an almond tree to produce?
A:  Almond trees require at least three years to produce, with maximum nut production in six- to ten-years.  Almond trees can produce for more than fifty years.