Pistachio nuts during ancient times

Pistachio has been part of the human diet at least since the late Paleolithic era. The nuts of Pistacia vera were known in Persia as pisteh, from which the name pistachio is derived. Pistacia lentiscus, the ‘mastic tree’ one of the other Pistacia species, has been cultivated since ancient times in Greece and the Greek island of Chios as a source of mastic.

The species was first cultivated about 3000 years ago in Persia. From there the plant spread in Roman times throughout the rest of the Mediterranean region.

Pistachios grew wild in the high desert region during Biblical times. The Queen of Sheba was especially fond of pistachio nuts and is said to have monopolized the limited pistachio output of Assyria for herself and her court favorites.

A passion for pistachios was also exemplified by Nebuchadnezzar, the ancient king of Babylon. It is said that in his hanging gardens he had planted pistachio trees.

Akbar the Great, a Mogul Emperor, would hold royal feasts that were fit for a king, He usually served chickens that had been fed pistachio nuts for at least six to eight weeks to enhance their flavor.

According to Pliny, the pistachio was introduced to Italy from Syria during the reign of Tiberius, early in the first century AD. It was brought by Vitellius, father of the emperor, who served in the Levant between 35 and 39 AD. Subsequently its cultivation spread to other Mediterranean countries.
Pistachio nuts during ancient times