Pistachio, Pistacia vera, is the green-kernelled nut of Indian sweets, kulfi and festive dry-fruit boxes. It is native to the dry hills of Iran and Central Asia, and Iran, the United States and Turkey grow most of the world’s crop. The shells split open naturally when the nuts are ripe. The tree is a relative of cashew and mango, which matters for people with allergies.
- Botanical name
- Pistacia vera L.
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
- Tamil
- Pista
- Hindi
- Pista
- Parts used
- Kernel
- Habit
- Split-shell dry fruit of dry hills
- Last updated
- 2026-10-26
How to recognise Pistachio
It is a small, drought-tolerant, deciduous tree with leaves of three to five thick, leathery leaflets.
Male and female flowers grow on separate trees, and the wind carries pollen from male to female trees.
The fruit grows in heavy clusters: each nut is enclosed in a reddish-pink outer skin over a hard beige shell that splits along one side when ripe.
The kernel is green to yellowish, coloured by chlorophyll, with a thin purple skin.
Traditional use of Pistachio
Kitchen
In India pistachios garnish sweets such as barfi and kulfi, flavour biryanis and sherbets, and are eaten roasted and salted.
Indian food practice
Persian tradition
Pistachios have been cultivated in Iran for thousands of years and are central to Persian sweets and celebrations.
Persian food history
Modern notes on Pistachio
Pistachios provide protein, fibre, unsaturated fats and minerals.
Badly stored nuts can carry aflatoxins from moulds, so food regulators test imported pistachios.
Pistachio safety
People allergic to cashew are often allergic to pistachio too, because the nuts are related. Throw away mouldy or bitter nuts.
Ecology and sourcing
It is native to arid regions from north-eastern Iran to Central Asia, where it grows on rocky slopes.
It needs hot, dry summers and cold winters, so it is not grown commercially in most of India.
Trees often bear heavily one year and lightly the next, a pattern called alternate bearing.
Related plants
Also in Anacardiaceae
Questions about Pistachio
Is pistachio a true nut?
Botanically it is the seed of a drupe, like a mango stone.
Why are some pistachios red?
Some were dyed in the past to hide stains on the shells.
Is Pistachio related to cashew?
Yes. Both are in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae.
Sources
- Pistacia vera L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q36071 (Pistacia vera)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.