Pistachios
The King of Nuts
Type of Pistachio
Shape
Common Size Grades (pcs/oz)
Characteristics
Kalleh Ghouchi (Jumbo)
Large, Round
20–22, 22–24, 24–26
Renowned for its large size, open mouth, and rich flavor
Fandoghi (Round)
Round
18–20, 20–22, 22–24
Classic pistachio, uniform shape and excellent roasting quality
Akbari (Long)
Long, Elegant
28–30, 30–32, 32–34
Longest type, high kernel-to-shell ratio, favored in Middle Eastern
Ahmad Aghaei (Long)
Long, Slim
22–24, 24–26, 26–28
Bright shell color and sweet taste, popular for gifting
Badami (Long)
Long, Narrow
28–30, 30–32, 32–34
Smaller and thinner, early harvest variety
Fandoghi
Round Type
A small, nearly round pistachio with a light beige shell and reddish-brown kernel.
It has a strong nutty flavor and high oil content, making it perfect for snacking and confectionery use.
The shape provides excellent uniformity for industrial packaging.
Kalle Ghouchi
Jumbo Type
Large and spherical with a thick shell and creamy color.
Rich, buttery flavor with a tender texture, preferred in premium nut assortments.
Sensitive to heat and drought, it’s a high-value, limited-yield variety.
Ahmad Aghaei
Long Type
Elegant and elongated shape, bright shell, and red-tinged kernel.
Mild and sweet in taste, highly appealing for export and premium snack markets.
Easy to open due to its naturally wide split shell.
Akbari
Super-Long Type
One of the longest and largest pistachio cultivars, known for its luxury appearance.
Smooth, light shell and creamy, soft-textured kernel.
Favored for high-end packaging and gourmet products.
Kerman
The dominant cultivar in California orchards.
Large nuts with pale green kernels and mild flavor; high yield and stable size.
Commonly used in roasted-salted snacks and industrial food production.
Lost Hills
A modern American cultivar with a larger, more consistent kernel split.
Harvests earlier than Kerman and delivers higher yields per acre.
Ideal for mechanized processing and large-scale export.
Golden Hills
Selected for its vibrant shell color and high ratio of open nuts.
Flavor is clean and slightly sweet, with firm texture and lower fat content.
Well-suited for roasted applications and snack production.
Peters
Pollinizer Variety
A male pistachio variety mainly used for pollination of Kerman and similar cultivars.
Hardier under hot, dry climates and contributes to better nut fill in female trees.
Not a commercial nut crop itself, but essential for orchard success.
Gaziantep
Small, compact nuts with a dark green kernel and an intense, aromatic flavor.
High oil concentration makes it perfect for baklava and other desserts.
Highly prized for its unique aroma and vibrant green color after roasting.
Siirt
Larger than Gaziantep with a smoother shell and lighter green kernel.
Rich, sweet flavor and high productivity make it Turkey’s main commercial pistachio.
Commonly sold roasted and salted in domestic and regional markets.
Badakhshan
Small, thick-shelled nuts with a deep green kernel.
Intense, earthy flavor and high oil content.
Naturally grown in semi-wild environments, valued for its organic quality.
Herat
Medium-sized nuts with a thin shell and reddish kernel.
Sweeter flavor compared to mountain types, often used for snacking.
Known for high yield and natural resistance to pests.