According to the Islamic Republic of Iran customs report, pistachio exports in 9-month period from October 2010 to June 2011 with a total number of 133,089 tons over the same period of the previous year with 107,137 tons, shows 24 percent of growth.

Iran exported 160,000 tons of pistachio during the last Iranian year (ended March 21), said US Department of Agriculture’s Statistics Office.

The nuts are usually eaten as thay are, by splitting them open between fingers or using a nutcracker machine. They can also be enjoyed roasted, salted, or sweetened, just as in macadamia and peanuts.