A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provides more evidence that almonds are one of the most heart-healthy foods around. In addition, a study in the International Journal of Obesity found that adding a daily ration of almonds to a low-calorie diet enhanced weight loss, as well as significantly improved risk factors associated with heart disease, when compared to a low- fat, low-calorie diet. Almonds are also a great source of protein, vitamin E, and fiber.
Fun Facts about almonds
Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Bible's book of Numbers tells of Aaron's rod that blossomed and bore almonds, using them as a symbol to represent the divine approval of Aaron by God.
Explorers consumed almonds while traveling the "Silk Road" between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean region to include such areas as Spain, Italy, Morocco, Greece and Israel.
The Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. There have been documented findings that nutmeats and dried fruits were treated as delicacies of this time, because the cultivation of these foods was not as prevalent as today. Imagine the value of something as small as a nut being a cherished gift for so many centuries!
The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700's by the Franciscan Padres. The moist, cool weather of the coastal missions, however, did not provide optimum growing conditions. It wasn't until the following century that trees were successfully planted inland.
By the 1870's, research and cross-breeding had developed several of today's prominent almond varieties. By the turn of the 20th century, the almond industry was firmly established in the Sacramento and San Joaquin areas of California's great Central Valley.
In the past 20 years, California's almond yield has doubled. More than a half million acres in the lush San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys are under almond cultivation, stretching 400 miles between Bakersfield and Red Bluff, California. The modern industry of today reveals a different look at almonds. Now focused on highly advanced methods of production sorting, hulling and processing, the industry still maintains its down to earth goodness invoked by this simple nut.
Pistachios
Pistachios are rich in potassium, phosphorus (helps build bones and teeth) and magnesium, and are also a good source of vitamin B6 (aids protein metabolism and absorption) and thiamine (enhances energy and promotes normal appetite).
These nuts also have a relatively low calorie value when compared to other nuts and are cholesterol free, high in fibre and low in saturated fat.
Like most other nuts, pistachios can also cut heart disease risk. The high monounsaturated fat content may actually lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
Pistachios also contain antioxidants in the form of phytochemicals. These plant nutrients have been associated with a decreased risk for developing chronic diseases, like cancer. History
The first provable authentic historical mention of edible nuts refers to pistachios without any doubt. The first archaeological findings date back to 6760 B.C. in the Palaeozoic period - in near settlements in the Neolith - in the territory of the present Jordan. Pistachios were soon considered food for the rich and the chosen. Although pistachio trees have been known for a long period of time, the place of their origin is uncertain. They probably come from the Middle East, Persia (Iran), and western Asia (eastern Pakistan and India), where they used to grow wildly in high positioned desert regions. Interesting facts:
The history of pistachio nuts reflects their "royal character", endurance and pride. Especially fine pistachios are said to have been a favourite delicacy of the Queen of Sheba, who confiscated all Assyrian deliveries for herself and for her royal court.
A story goes that lovers used to meet under pistachio trees and listened to the cracking of their nuts below moonlit nights, which was a sign that they would be happy.
Pistachios were brought to Europe (in particular to Italy) from Syria during the reign of Tiberius at the beginning of the 1st century A.D. Subsequently they were spread to be grown in other Southern European countries (e.g. Greece). History of Iranian pistachios
Pistachios occupy a special place in the heart of every Iranian. They are a kind of food allowing families to be together, they are in every home, ready as a delicacy for a guest or neighbour who may just drop in to have a cup of tea. They are one of the most popular and delicious snacks Iran has. Pistachio trees have already been growing in Iran for centuries, their home being above all in the Kerman province where pistachios are grown on an area exceeding two hundred thousand hectares.
Their commercial use began in the 1930's where businessmen from Iran started to export pistachios to Europe and the USA above all, and also to Czechoslovakia before World War Two. At that time they also cleverly allocated individual kinds of pistachios to each market, e.g. Jumbo to the USA, Round to Europe, etc.
After World War Two the actual commercial expansion of Iranian pistachios occurred, and lasted till the 1970's, i.e. the beginning of the Islamic revolution. In the next years all business deals cooled off and the war with Iraq followed. Only after its termination did the modern history of pistachios begin again.
Iran is not only a grower of first-class kinds of pistachios but it is also the main producer of this product in the world, with the volume of production reaching 100 to 200 thousand tons every year, depending on the period of time. Besides crude oil, carpets and caviar, pistachios belong amongst the main items exported from Iran. History of pistachio growing in the USA
The first pistachios were brought to California around 1854. In the 1930's a team of American experts - botanists started to look for the best material in Iran suitable for cultivation and subsequent growing in the same conditions as those in Iran. This lasted till the 1960's. The commercial growing of pistachios on plantations only started to develop around 1970. Until that time the Americans had been completely dependant on supplies from Iran.
Due to the crisis that followed the incident on the American embassy in Teheran in 1976, and due to the subsequent interruption of imports as a result of sanctions imposed, pistachios from California appeared in the limelight. At present nearly the whole consumption of pistachios is covered from domestic sources. The production of pistachios in California is one of the industrial branches together with processing of almonds. Production and processing of pistachios and almonds is becoming a profitable business for a lot of Californian growers. The support provided by the government made a number of growers of almonds extend their growing by pistachios. The first commercially usable crop was harvested in 1976. The production has increased rapidly until the present day.
peanuts
Peanuts are unique whole foods that naturally contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to lowering blood cholesterol levels. Studies adding even small amounts to the diet have shown a 14% decrease in the "bad" cholesterol. These legumes (related to peas and beans) are rich in Niacin (B3) which is instrumental in increasing "good" cholesterol. They are also very high in quality protein and an excellent source of Vitamin E, an important antioxidant for heart disease and cancer prevention. Peanuts are rich in good dietary fiber which promotes overall bowel health and aids in the prevention of colon cancer.
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