Pine Nuts
About Pine Nuts
Pine nuts, also popular as pignolias or chilgoza, come from the pine tree. These are edible seeds that people consume in several cuisines all around the world. These nuts have been a food source for thousands of years. If you are looking to add a positive addition to your diet, these are a great option as they have vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
There are around 20 species of pine that produce seeds large enough. Pine nuts are off-white in colour and vary in length from 1/2 to 5 inches in size. Certain nuts coming from particular areas are popular to be richer in some nutrients in comparison to others. These are very beneficial in improving both cardiovascular health and cognitive powers. As a result of the plant sterols and stanols found in pine nuts, people believe that they help lower low-density lipoprotein or “bad cholesterol” and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein, the “good” cholesterol. Therefore, it does not a surprise that people find it interesting to discover more about pine nuts. Please read below to find out the different types of such seeds, how you can use them, where and how to buy pine nuts online in the UAE.
Exploring pine nuts, their varieties & benefits
There are many different types. You can add these nuts to your diet in a variety of ways, depending on your needs. Its common use is to add it in meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. One great option for them is to use pine nuts for salad. These nuts may be eaten raw but are usually eaten roasted or toasted. This intensifies the flavour. Not only do they taste great, but they provide many health benefits as they are rich in vitamins and minerals. You can even associate it with a lower waist circumference, body mass index, and blood pressure. Additionally, they are rich in antioxidants, which may help protect your body’s cells from damage.
Candied pine nuts and other sweet treats
These nuts are popular in all manner of savoury dishes. However, one can also use them in place of any other nuts in sweet recipes. Some people like to add these seeds to their smoothies to add texture and other nutritional benefits. You can add nuts to cookies to make a delicious snack that also contains vitamins and minerals too. Furthermore, if you enjoy baking, it is possible to use ground pine nuts to make flour. If you are a fan of cake, you can use these seeds to make a scrumptious cake. Another great option is candied pine nuts. Candied pine nuts are also super easy to make. These have a lovely crunchy texture. They go very well alongside cheese or other appetizers or make a great dessert.
Italian pine nuts for delicious meals
Many people consider Italian nuts (pignoli) as the ultimate seed due to their taste and texture. They are remarkably smooth and one of Italy’s most precious food products. This type comes from the trees: the Italian Stone Pine. This tree is an iconic tree of the Italian landscape, and it takes much care and time to process harvesting them. Italian pine nuts have a rich and buttery flavour, with a hint of pine. Pine nuts are often used in Italian cooking, and you can find many recipes that use them, including salads, rice dishes, and desserts. One popular usage is in a traditional Tuscan style cake. They are even a staple in the classic Italian sauce pesto.
Pinyon pine nuts for a tasty snack
These are another popular variety. The species is Pinus edulis, and they are the most valuable pine nut in the world. The pinyon pine group grows in southwestern North America. They are particularly common in the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Pinyon nuts are a staple food of Native Americans. In the cuisine of New Mexico, people usually take these nuts as a snack. This variety carries a vibrant buttery taste. Pinyon pine nuts are high in fats and calories and filled with healthy fats, fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Nuts are also more filling than other snack foods; as a result, you may need to take in fewer calories in the long run. Although the harvest of pinyon nuts is unreliable, so they are not a suitable staple food.
Tips on how to buy Pine Nuts online in UAE
It is crucial to explore the factors to consider in making your final decision. The variety of options can seem overwhelming when you are trying to find the best type for your needs. Although every type makes an extremely beneficial addition to your diet, it is important because every variety has certain features and flavours that determine whether it’s a good fit for your recipe or not. So, let us explore some tips that will help you buy the best.
- Decide your timeframe – Do you have a lot of free time for cooking? It is important to know quickly you intend to use them. Pine nuts are rich in oil; because of this, they go bad quickly. If you do not wish to use them right away and want to ensure lasting freshness, it is good to shop at a store with a high turnover. This will avoid your nuts going bad before you have had the chance to use them and prolong the likelihood of them staying fresh.
- Consider your budget – If money is no object for you, this should not be a problem. However, it is necessary to note that pine nuts are considered one of the more expensive nuts in the world. Some varieties are extra costly compared to others. You can buy gourmet and organic variations. But you should be aware that these are the more expensive option. Also, you will usually get a smaller quantity for the price if you choose this option. So it is important to factor in how much money you would like to spend.
- Evaluate the quantity you need – Are you a prolific cook or baker? If yes, you may need a larger quantity. However, as these nuts are expensive, you should still consider how often you want to use the pine nuts. This will affect how you buy. Should you wish to cook with them often, you should consider buying in bulk, as you will have a large supply to use. However, if you are trying them, you want to go for a less quality with the pre-packaged option, as it would be a shame to waste money and produce, especially considering the labour-intensive process that goes into the harvest of these nuts.
- Shell or no shell – It is possible to buy pine nuts both shelled and unshelled. However, it is common to find them unshelled for humans. Some people still prefer to buy pine nuts shelled, as they believe that they will stay fresher for longer. However, consider whether you want and have the time to remove the shells, as this process can be timely and take quite a lot of work.
- Type of pine nut – You should also consider what you want to do with the nuts. As we have seen, there are so many different types, which all have a unique flavour. It’s important to decide if you want to eat them by themselves or use them in a particular recipe, as this can determine which type you should purchase.
It is that simple! Now you have discovered some information about the different types; it is time to buy one. You have also seen some tips on buying pine nuts, so you can start exploring our shopping search engine , i.e., Shops.ae. Hopefully, these tips will give you some guidance in helping you choose which type of pine nuts are most suitable for your needs. With all these things considered, do not hesitate to start your shopping journey right here. Also, compare prices here to find cheap pine nuts online.
Question & Answer
Where to buy pine nuts in the UAE?
We have seen that many retailers are providing the option to purchase various types of pine nuts. It is easy to purchase them both online and in-store. One option is health food stores; these have a good reputation; however, they can be costly. You could also purchase them at some supermarkets, but you take the risk that the product may lack quality. You must buy your pine nuts from a platform with a great reputation. If that is what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to explore Shops. ae. We have stores that offer high-quality nut options. These are the best places to buy pine nuts online in the UAE.
What are the health benefits of pine nuts?
Pine nuts are packed full of a wide range of healthy ingredients. Firstly, they are rich in polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These promote both cardiovascular and cognitive health. They also contain a high amount of pinolenic acid, another fatty acid that can trigger the body to produce certain appetite-suppressing hormones and are associated with a lower waist circumference and body mass index. These are important factors to control to prevent heart disease. These nuts are rich in protein and B vitamins, which are crucial in maintaining good health and wellbeing. Moreover, pine nuts are filled with antioxidants, which may help protect the cells in your body from damage. They contain minerals such as iron and magnesium, which can increase your energy levels.
Why are pine nuts so expensive?
Pine nuts are so expensive for several reasons. The harvest of pine nuts is both extremely time and labour-intensive. It takes anywhere from 15 to 25 years for the seeds to begin producing seeds. The pine seeds are found in the pine cones and take about 18 months to mature. Since the seeds are ready to harvest 10 days before the cone begins to open, they are tough to remove. To speed up this process, they are left in the sun for an additional 20 days. For the most part, the seeds are harvested by hand. This process is very time consuming and requires a lot of patience. In addition to this, each plant only produces around 1kg of pine nuts per season. All of these reasons contribute to the high price.
If you are eager to start adding loads of vitamins and minerals to your diet, start the journey here on Shops.ae. You can find a vast selection of the highest quality products under one roof. You will undoubtedly find what you are looking for here, whether you want to cook for yourself, your family, or friends! To enjoy delicious meals, snacks, and desserts whilst benefiting from all the nutritional value of pine nuts, start shopping now right here. Also, find other food & beverages here!