VANILLAGOODS / FRESH MARKET BUYING GUIDE

Pistachios: Buying, Storage & Baking Guide

Learn how to choose, store, and bake with pistachios, with quality checks and U.S. season guidance.

Nuts & seeds
Pistachios: A bowl of pistachios with split shells

Look for

Clean, intact; minimal dust or breakage

Feel & texture

Dry; no moisture clumping

Aroma

Nutty and fresh, not paint-like, rancid or musty

What to avoid

Mold, pests, rancid oil odors

How to store

Airtight, cool and dark; refrigerate or freeze for longevity

Typical U.S. season

Varies by region and availability

Growing regions and availability

High-level growing suitability depends on variety, climate and local conditions.

Seasons and growing conditions vary by location and variety. Imported or stored ingredients may be available outside typical growing windows.

Visual buying guide

Pistachios, where it grows: Clusters of pink-shelled pistachios on a pistachio tree

Where it grows

Pistachios, pick this one: Naturally split pistachios showing bright green kernels

Pick this one

Clean, intact; minimal dust or breakage

Pistachios, skip this one: Closed, dull, dark pistachio shells

Skip this one

Mold, pests, rancid oil odors

What can you bake with Pistachios?

Pralines, nut pastry, cookies

Explore pistachio recipes →

Learn more about Pistachios

Definition, facts and sources in our Dessert Encyclopedia.

Read “Pistachios” in the Dessert Encyclopedia →

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