Pine nuts - also known as pignolias - could be considered the king of nuts with their delicate, buttery sweet flavor, which turns even more complex when toasted.
Where do pine nuts come from
Pine nuts are the edible seeds of female pine cones. Pine trees are native to wild, cold areas of the northern hemisphere, and especially Siberia and Canada. However, they also grow in drier areas of the United States that are particularly cold in the winter. Pine trees grow quite large, up to at least 75 feet. The largest kernels come from Pinus sibirica and Pinus koraiensis, while Stone pines have more slender, longer kernels.
Health benefits of pine nuts
Pine nuts offer a wealth of plant nutrients such as monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and essential minerals. The monounsaturated fatty acids in pine nuts have been known to be helpful in heart health, including reducing cholesterol.
Pine nuts are calorie rich, containing about 670 per 100 grams. However, the caloric content comes from healthy fats, including such monounsaturated fatty acids as oleic acid. These are important to the Mediterranean diet and help to lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) while increasing HDL (the good cholesterol). They are also great sources of vitamin E.
How to use pine nuts from Food to Live
Pine nuts are delicious with a delicate, sweet flavor. They work great in pastas and risottos, adding a unique taste, and also enhance salads. You can also bake with pine nuts, and of course, pine nuts are also an important ingredient in pesto! Roasting pine nuts in a dry skillet adds to their nutty complexity, or you can fry them in a bit of butter to increase sweetness.
However you decide to enjoy your pine nuts, Food to Live offers them in both organic and conventionally grown versions. Our pine nuts are raw, vegan, gluten-free and kosher. Order your pine nuts in bulk from Food to Live and save on this healthy snack and baking ingredient!
