Afghan Pistachio Kernels (Pista Giri) — Raw, 250g–10kg

Raw, shelled pistachio kernels (pista giri) from Afghanistan, with thin natural skins that range from deep purple to green. No shelling needed and nothing added (no salt, no oil), in sizes from a 250g bag for the kitchen to a 10kg bulk bag for bakeries, sweet shops and caterers. Shipped across Canada from our Ontario warehouse.

At a glance

• Product: pistachio kernels (shelled pistachios), also called pista giri
• Origin: Afghanistan
• Processing: raw, not roasted, with nothing added (no salt, no oil)
• Skins: natural purple-to-green skins, left on
• Sizes: 250g, 500g, 750g, 1kg, 3kg, 5kg and 10kg. The price per kilo drops as the size goes up.
• Shipping: $7.99 flat; free on orders over $89, anywhere in Canada
• Allergen note: pistachios are tree nuts. Packed in a facility that also handles other tree nuts.

How to use pistachio kernels

• Afghan sweets: chopped or ground over firni, sheer yakh and baklava.
• Eid and Nowruz: a classic in sheer khurma for Eid and in haft mewa for Nowruz.
• Rice dishes: slivered or whole over Kabuli palaw and other festive rice dishes.
• Baking: cookies, cakes, biscotti, granola and homemade pistachio butter.
• Snacking and platters: on their own, or on dry-fruit platters with Mamra almonds, walnuts and green raisins.

Raw kernels, skins on

The thin skin on each kernel ranges from deep purple to green, and the shade varies from kernel to kernel. That is natural. For bright green pistachios to garnish sweets, blanch the kernels in boiling water for about a minute, drain, and rub the skins off with a clean towel. For a toasted flavour, toast them in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring often.

Storage

Keep sealed in a cool, dry, dark place. After opening, store airtight; the fridge or freezer keeps them fresh longer.

Bulk and wholesale

Bakeries, sweet shops, restaurants and caterers can order the 3kg, 5kg and 10kg sizes online, or apply for a wholesale account and read more on our wholesale page. You can also browse more dried nuts and our Afghan dried fruits and nuts.

Frequently asked questions

Where are your pistachio kernels from?
Afghanistan.

What is pista giri?
Pista giri is the Hindi and Urdu name for shelled pistachio kernels. It is the same product.

Are these raw or roasted?
Raw. They have not been roasted, and nothing is added: no salt, no oil.

Why are some kernels purple?
The thin skin around a pistachio kernel is naturally purple to green, and the shade varies from kernel to kernel. For bright green kernels, blanch them in boiling water for about a minute and rub the skins off.

What sizes are available?
250g, 500g, 750g, 1kg, 3kg, 5kg and 10kg. The price per kilo drops as the size goes up.

How fast does it ship?
Orders are processed within 1–3 business days and usually arrive in 1–2 business days within Ontario and Quebec, and 3–5 business days elsewhere in Canada. Shipping is $7.99 flat, and orders over $89 ship free.

How should I store pistachio kernels?
Sealed, in a cool, dry, dark place. Once opened, keep them airtight; the fridge or freezer keeps them fresh longer.

Do you sell pistachio kernels wholesale?
Yes. Use the Get a Wholesale Quote button above or apply for a wholesale account.