Pine Nuts

The Pine Nut

The pine nut has been treasured for its unique nutty flavor and light crunch around the world since Paleolithic times. From baklava in Lebanon, to salads in France, marzipan in Catalonia and of course pesto in Italy – pine nuts have become a staple from Asia to Europe to the Americas.

Pine nuts are actually the seeds of the pine tree, and are not a nut botanically speaking.

Few foods have such a wealth of nutritional benefits. Pine nuts are a good source of B vitamins & vitamin E, and essential minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Lutein – a carotenoid that is important for eye health – is another ingredient.

But that’s not all. They also contain oleic acid to help lower LDL or “bad cholesterol” and increase HDL or “good cholesterol” in the blood, and are a natural source for an appetite-suppressing hormone called CCK (cholecystokinin).

Traditionally, pine nuts have been used in various forms to treat gastro-intestinal problems. Their high protein content (ours are 14% protein) makes them ideal for vegetarian diets.

Like most nuts, roasting brings out their flavor, and adds more texture.

Interested in bulk pricing for a whole pallet? Contact us and we’ll get right back to you.

If you’re looking for ideas here are some recipes for a simple pesto, a tasty side dish (with quinoa and raisins) and some gourmet scrambled eggs