Pine nuts are some of the most expensive. The cost of a small bag can really be terrifying. But what makes them so expensive? Recently I decided to learn more about them.
So why is the price so high?
Pine nuts are grains that are obtained from cones. They are covered with a dense skin and, of course, it is very difficult to get the grains.
Taking into account such a solid "armor", it is difficult to imagine that pine nuts are collected by hand. Moreover, the work is carried out in a short time - the season for picking nuts is 10-15 days a year - this is how much time it takes to open the cones.
Subsequently, they are folded into rag bags, dried in the sun - this speeds up the process of ripening and opening, and then the seeds are released and also manually sorted to remove the husks.
This process is quite laborious and takes a lot of time, which justifies the high cost of this product.
What are their benefits?
This product contains many useful vitamins and minerals. But in addition to magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins B and E, they contain:
- Thiamin. This substance supports brain function, improves memory, and improves mood.
- Our body needs riboflavin because it participates in the production of antibodies, erythrocytes.
- Oleic acid helps fight atherosclerosis.
- Tryptophan in nuts helps to fight insomnia as it is a natural sleep hormone.
- Nuts contain high-quality protein that is well absorbed by our body, and plant fiber improves the digestive tract.
True, there are some nuances of the use of such nuts associated with their high calorie content. For example, you should not consume too much of them. First, it is detrimental to the figure. Secondly, too fatty foods are dangerous for digestion.
Selection and storage tips
For the product to be tasty and fresh, it is important to pay attention to some important points:
- The shell of the nuts must be dry, free of dark spots and mold.
- Shake the nut. If you feel that the kernels are free to "sit" inside, it is better to refuse to buy - most likely, the nut is dry and should not be consumed.
- Do not forget to check the collection dates - they fall in late September-early October.
- In addition, it is advisable to buy nuts in small containers or vacuum bags, since they are not stored for long and may simply disappear.
And to extend the shelf life, pour the nuts after purchase into a glass jar with an airtight lid. In this case, they can be consumed for about 1.5-2 weeks. If you need to keep it longer, put the nuts in the freezer.
Cooking applications
Pine nut is a popular culinary product. The kernels are added to baked goods, salads, snacks. But the most popular options for their use are the preparation of cedar milk (it perfectly replaces cow milk for those who do not drink it) and pesto sauce.
Cedar milk
The product prepared according to this recipe is not only very nutritious, but also well absorbed. It is suitable for both adults and children.
To prepare it you need:
- 350 ml of boiled water;
- 30 g of nuts.
Recipe:
- Transfer pine nuts to a blender, chop (a glass of water will require 2 tablespoons of the product).
- Add 30-50 ml of water, beat again, then fill in the remaining water and press the blender button again.
The milk is ready! You just have to strain it and you can serve it. I add a little honey and cinnamon to it for taste.
Pesto sauce
To prepare it you will need:
- 2 bunches of basil;
- 50 ml olive oil;
- 2 tbsp nuts;
- a pinch of salt;
- 50 g parmesan;
- 2-3 cloves of garlic.
Pesto sauce goes well with any pasta, it can also be used as a dressing for fish, meat, seafood.
Preparation:
- Rinse the basil, dry it, peel the garlic and chop it coarsely.
- Grate the cheese on a fine grater.
- In a blender, grind garlic, pine nuts, cheese, add olive oil and a little salt. At the same time, add a little oil, which will achieve the perfect consistency. Otherwise, if you pour out the entire volume at once, the paste may come out quite liquid.
It remains to transfer the sauce to suitable containers and refrigerate, shelf life is about three days.