Frequently Asked Questions
Does Eagle Ranch use food dyes?
No. We prefer to market our pistachios in their natural state.
Are the red chile flavored pistachios available without the shell?
Not at this time. The demand for "nutmeats" has been increasing rapidly and shelling and sorting processes to get the nut out of the shell are very time consuming. Right now, the demand for nutmeats is too great to add another product requiring a shelled nut, and the sauce, using red chile powder in the recipe, sticks fine to the shell.
When do you harvest the pistachios?
September is harvest month for pistachios all over the world, with the exception of Australia, which harvests in February/March.
Are the pistachios available unsalted?
Yes. Sizes and prices are the same as the salted/roasted pistachios.
What climate is required to grow pistachios?
Pistachios are a native plant to desert environments. The tree has the narrowest parameter for temperature requirements of any commercial tree crop. The desert must have chilling in the winter (1,000 hours below 45° F) but the ground cannot freeze. The tree will grow in humid climates, but the humidity interferes with the development of the nut itself. Long, hot, dry summers give the best nut development.
