Originating in the high desert regions of the Middle East, the pistachio is one of the world's oldest and most treasured nuts. Archeological evidence suggests that they were in common use as early as 6760 BC! Known as the "green almond," the pistachio derived its English name from its original Persian name, "pisteh."
	High in nutrition and easy to store, pistachios made popular travel companions. Early traders and explorers frequently took them across ancient trade routes like the famed Silk Road that connected China with the West. When Arabs settled in Spain and Sicily, they brought not only pistachios, but also pistachio trees with them. The nuts from these imported trees were highly coveted throughout Europe and available only to the wealthiest citizens.
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Pistachios in common use in the early middle east.