In the same way, a pistachio tree grown for its nuts is actually two different varieties of pistachio plant, grafted together. Pistachia vera variety 'Atlantica' is used for the roots, and Pistachio vera variety 'Kernan' is used for the upper part of the tree. Generally the grafting is done on a young tree, only a few years old, but it can also be done on an older tree.
The photo above shows the different sizes of the nut from different
varieties of pistachio tree. On the left is a bunch of nuts from
the Kernan variety. The middle and right bunches of nuts come from
the Atlantica variety. The nutmeat is surrounded by a hard shell,
which is covered by a sticky skin. This skin is removed before the
nuts are sold.
Atlantica nuts are tiny and covered in a skin that may be red or greenish
or purple.
Kernan nuts are larger and covered in a tan & red skin.
"Wild" pistachio trees are brilliant in the fall.
The pistachio tree generally grows to about 20 feet tall. This
prized specimen on the T&T Ranch is about 50 feet tall. This
is the "wild" or Kernan variety, which does not produce edible nuts.
The pistachio trees in Saddleback
Orchard in Amargosa Valley, owned by Bill Barrackman and Rita VanAntwerpen,
are less than 10 years old and less than 10 feet tall. Saddleback
Orchard pistachios are certified organic!
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