Pine Nuts from Orlandosidee® - Grade A Premium Quality from Chinese Wild Collection.
What are pine nuts?
Pine nuts are the small elongated and peeled seeds from the cones of the pine (conifer). The pine nuts are located between the scales of the cones and are enclosed by a hard core. Pine kernels from the Mediterranean are more elongated than the Asian pine nuts.
Where do they come from?
The pine belongs to the pine family (Pinaceae) and grows in the Mediterranean, China, Pakistan and Korea. The plant has its origin in Asia Minor. The pine is also known under the following names: Mediterranean pine, umbrella pine, Italian stone pine.
The pine can grow to a height of 30 meters and grow up to 200 years old. It is a very resistant tree, has low demands on the soil and is additionally also dry resistant. It grows on both calcareous soils and sandy soil. It also keeps long periods of heat above 30 ° C without rain good.
Worth knowing about them
Pine nuts are small, delicate nuts that are used in many Mediterranean and Oriental dishes as an ingredient. They have an almond-like flavor with a resinous aroma. It is a pity that they play more of a side role in the kitchen with us, because they set, with their irresistible aroma, very delicate highlights in dishes.
Pine nuts are a bit expensive, they are among the most expensive nuts, but that is because the effort to get to these nuts is very expensive . Pines grow wild and only after the tree is about 20 years old does it bear fruit for the first time and can be harvested. In addition, the seeds (pine nuts) need 3 years to mature. The harvest is elaborate and pure handwork. First it's time to climb and harvest the cones or shake them off the tree with poles and collect them. Then the pine seeds are picked out of the cones and freed from their hard shell and their seed skin.
What do I use them for?
The delicate taste of pine nuts goes well with all sorts of food. It goes well with savory and sweet foods. Mostly they are used to bake cakes, biscuits and macaroons and to cook rice, as is common in India and Turkey. They also refine Moroccan couscous or fresh spinach with olive oil and garlic.
In Italian cuisine, pine nuts are often used in pasta salads or in filled omelettes. They belong in a good pesto alla Genovese as well as in the Torta della Nonna. They also taste good with fried chicken or a delicious mushroom carpaccio.
Nutrition facts pine nuts per 100 gr
- Calories 670 and 2800 kJ respectively
- Fat 60 g
- Carbohydrates 20 g
- Protein 13 g
- Fiber 1 g
How do I use them?
Pine kernels are carefully roasted before use and consumption in a nonstick pan, preferably without fat. By roasting, their unique aroma unfolds much better and they also get a delicious crispy consistency. But please be careful, because they can burn very quickly which is a pity, especially at their price. Roast pine nuts at medium heat, and once you have your preferred tan, put them in another bowl to cool. Otherwise, it could happen that they still burn unnoticed by the remaining heat of the pan.
