pine nuts

Small noble seed with potential 

Pine nut profile

Botanical name

Pinus pinea

Family

Pine family

Origin of the name

As the name suggests, the kernels are extracted from the pine tree.

Origin/Cultivation

Pine nuts originate from Asia. To date, they are not cultivated in Europe, but are collected in the wild. 

Facts in brief

High essential fat content - use peeled ones early and fresh - they go rancid quickly

Pine cones are harvested by hand

Happen

The kernels of the European pine come from Spain, Portugal, France and Turkey.

These are mostly harvested from wild trees, which makes pine nuts relatively expensive.

Cheaper kernels come from Asia, Korea or Afghanistan. 

Season/Harvest Europe

are available year-round. However, harvesting takes place from October to April. Pine cones must be harvested by hand, which is a laborious and time-consuming task. Harvesting time varies depending on the type of pine tree and its location, but typically takes place in late summer or early autumn. Pine cones are usually harvested naturally: by waiting for the cones to fall from the trees on their own. Alternatively, the cones can be picked by hand, taking special care to avoid damaging the trees and the surrounding nature.

JAN x FEB x MAR x

APR x MAY x JUN x

JUL ˽ AUG ˽ SEP ˽

OCT ˽ NOV x DEC x

x not available ˽ Outdoor 2 Ո Storage / Greenhouse

Storage conditions

Pine nuts: dry, cool and protected from light

Peeled pine nuts do not keep for long, use early

Edible parts

pine nuts

Preparation form

raw, roasted