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How a sapling and a viral confectionery made California the world’s pistachio king
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The conflict in the Middle East is good news for some farmers in California, who are likely to get higher prices for their pistachios.
PHOTO: ADAM PEREZ/NYTIMES
Julie Creswell and Jacqueline Gu
UNITED STATES – Twenty years ago, California farmers bet big on the pistachio. The little green nut was considered niche in the United States, but it was a staple in Iran and the surrounding region.
That gamble has paid off. Demand for pistachios is high as wellness trends draw people to high-fibre, protein-rich foods. They are also a key ingredient of Dubai chocolate, the incredibly popular chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream and kataifi, or shredded filo.
