Mechanical Open Pistachio Vs. Natural Open Pistachio
Iran pistachios contain both natural open pistachios and closed shells. The amount of natural open and closed shells produced in each orchard varies based on climate and maintenance. Still, on average, closed shell pistachios comprise up to 20-30% of the products of pistachio orchards.
In Iran, there are two ways to consume closed pistachios:
- Breaking the shells and extracting the kernel
- Using machines to open the pistachio artificially (Mechanically Open Pistachio)
Mechanic Open Pistachios
If this pistachio is made with hygienic methods and without manual intervention, there wouldn’t be any problems for consumption, but some traders produce low-quality products with unsanitary methods, which can cause concerns for foreign buyers and businessmen.
How to detect Mechanical Open Pistachios?
So we decided to show some practical ways to detect mechanical open pistachios as follows.
1. Damp Smell
A common and easy way to detect mechanically opened pistachios is by smelling them. You can also notice the damp smell of the pistachios. However, this method is only valid for raw pistachios. If the pistachios are roasted with saffron, salt, and other spices, the smell cannot be detected so that we can rely on the product’s appearance.
2. Kernel to Shell Ratio
The weights of the kernels of the closed-shell pistachio are different; in some of them, kernels fill the shell, while some of them have smaller kernels. The kernel ratio of some types is 50%, while some of them have just 45%.
You can easily detect the space in the shells of mechanically opened pistachios with low kernel weight.
2. Kernel to Shell Ratio
The weights of the kernels of the closed-shell pistachio are different; in some of them, kernels fill the shell, while some of them have smaller kernels. The kernel ratio of some types is 50%, while some of them have just 45%.
You can easily detect the space in the shells of mechanically opened pistachios with low kernel weight.
3. Voice of the Empty Space
Shake a bunch of pistachios in your hand beside you, and the voice of the empty spaces becomes easily audible.
4. Abnormal Crack
In Iran, the closed shell pistachios are produced by the method of expansion and contraction. Due to the shock, some pieces are cracked abnormally, which you can easily detect. In high-quality MO products, they collect and remove these pistachios.
4. Abnormal Crack
In Iran, the closed shell pistachios are produced by the method of expansion and contraction. Due to the shock, some pieces are cracked abnormally, which you can easily detect. In high-quality MO products, they collect and remove these pistachios.
5. The Color of the Kernel Testa
Since pistachio kernels are in contact with hot and cold water during the process of opening pistachios, the color of the pistachio kernels becomes dull and opaque. This is another way to identify artificially opened pistachios.
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