Pistachios are one of the tastiest nuts around. Although pistachios are native to central Asia, you do not need to travel to Turkey or Iran to get them. California is the second largest producer of pistachios in the world. 98% of all pistachios grown in the United States come from California.

Recent medical studies indicate there are health benefits of pistachios, which may be used as an aid to increasing your retail sales. Pistachios contain phytosoerols which can lower cholesterol and may help reduce risk of heart disease. Pistachios are also higher in fiber than other nuts.

Here are a few of the factors you'll need to decide upon before finding a pistachio distributor:

1. Natural, red dyed or bleached

2. Salted or unsalted

3. Pistachio meat or pistachio with shells

4. Whole or chopped

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify the primary use of your bulk pistachios

Pistachio distributors and pistachio suppliers will want to know how you will be using the pistachio nuts. Whether you require pistachios for cooking, baking or will determine which nut will be best for your needs. Buying wholesale pistachios will save you money.

I recommend: Nuts Online sells 17 varieties of pistachios including organic and habanero flavored. Fiddyment Farms will sell you raw pistachios, roasted, and even flavored pistachios such as jalapeño, barbecue, garlic-onion, lemon, lime-fire and Fiddyfire. Yurosek Farms will sell case quantities at a discount, but will give larger discounts on bulk purchases if you contact them directly. Foodservicedirect sells pistachios as well as other nuts in bulk.

Decide between California or Turkish pistachio nuts

Turkish pistachios are smaller and less open than California pistachios. Because the California nuts are larger they can be less flavorful than the smaller Turkish variety. Turkish green pistachios are a good choice for cooking.

I recommend: Buy California pistachios in five pound bags from D&S Ranches. Purchase Turkish pistachios from Oh! Nuts. Can't decide between the two? Go to Nutsonthenet.com where you can purchase both the California and the Turkish variety or pistachio.

Buy pre-packaged pistachios from your pistachio seller

Selling pre-packaged pistachios is an easy way to retail nuts. A display near the check out or a rack in the baking aisle will increase your sales. Printing out small cards espousing the health benefits of pistachios and placing them near the nut display is a great way to draw in customers.

I recommend: Barcelona Nut Company sells pistachios pre-packaged in tubes for retailers. Setton Farms sells its pistachios in retail bags and also has premium packages from which to choose. Fistiki Farms sells pistachios in four and eight ounce bags.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider selling gourmet pistachios. Pistachios dipped in chocolate or flavored with jalapeño or lime can really boost your sales.