Pistachios are good and good for you: National Pistachio Day is February 26 (Photos)

Yesterday, Feb. 25 was National Chocolate Covered Nuts Day, and today Feb. 26 is also a day to celebrate a nut.

February 26 is National Pistachio Day.

What is a pistachio?

The pistachio is a small bushy tree native to the Middle East. It produces bunches of fruit similar to grapes and the pistachio nut is the seed of that fruit.

The kernels of pistachios are often eaten whole, either fresh or roasted and salted, and are also used in ice cream and other foods. Therefore, pistachios can be a snack within a snack.

View slideshow: February 26 is National Pistachio Day

Pistachios are good and good for you. They have more antioxidants per serving than green tea. They are also an excellent source of fiber, copper, manganese, and Vitamin B6.

February 26 is National Pistachio Nut Day

Photo credit: 

Wikipedia

Here are the statistics for consumption of pistachios worldwide:

1. China is the top pistachio consumer worldwide, with annual consumption of 80,000 tons.
2. The United States consumes 45,000 tons of pistachios annually.
3. Russia has consumption of 15,000 tons) a year.
4. India consumes 10,000 tons of pistachio a year.

Did you know you can recycle pistachio shells?

• Use pistachio shells for kindling with crumpled paper to start a fire.
• Use pistachio shells to line the bottom of pots containing houseplants, for drainage and retention of soil for up to two years.
• Pistachio shells can be used as a mulch for shrubs and plants.
• Shells from salted pistachios can also be placed around the base of plants to deter slugs and snails.
• Many craft uses for the shells include holiday tree ornaments, jewelry, mosaics, and rattles.
• Research indicates that pistachio shells may be helpful in cleaning up pollution created by mercury emissions.

To celebrate National Pistachio Day, enjoy a handful of delicious pistachios. Remember to recyle the shells.