Originally Posted by
corky
For shelled pistachios?? Wow, that's a great price as they are expensive.
There's a reason for that. Embargo of products from the pistachio's homeland and where it is most widely cultivated. The California Avocado growers would love a similar ban.
You know what else costs as much as gold---pine nuts!!! I love them but I could buy a steak for the price of a half cup of pine nuts.
Another reason. Pest. The stone pine has been affected by an insect imported from the western U.S. that has severely diminished its ability to produce seed (production of seeds is a very energy-intensive activity for plants). The other species of pines that are sources of harvested seeds for human consumption just aren't the same.