Introduction to the Pistachio Varietal Universe: Females

At Agro Vivero del Mediterráneo, we have been dedicated body and soul, with passion and scientific rigor, to the fascinating world of pistachios for years. Our experience, forged in the field day by day, has allowed us to deeply understand the secrets and particularities of this crop, from soil preparation to the harvesting of its prized nut. We understand that choosing the right variety is, without a doubt, one of the fundamental pillars on which the success of any plantation rests. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, as it will determine productivity, plantation profitability, and the long-term viability of the agricultural project.

The pistachio universe is vast and diverse. There are hundreds of varieties, each with its own identity and unique genetic code, which translates into different agronomic behavior with its own strengths and weaknesses. This genetic wealth is a treasure that allows us to select the most suitable options for each farmer, each terrain, and each market goal.

With the desire to share our knowledge and guide other farmers on this exciting journey, we have prepared this exhaustive analysis of a wide range of female pistachio varieties worldwide. We will dive into the details of each one, from the most traditional and consolidated to the most recent and innovative. We will explore their origin, describe the agronomic characteristics of the tree, analyze flowering and ripening times, and detail the particularities of their fruits. Our goal is to create a comprehensive guide, an indispensable reference tool so that any professional or enthusiast in the sector can make informed and strategic decisions. Join us on this tour of the pistachio varietal universe.

 

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Detailed Analysis of Pistachio Varieties

Abiad Miwahi

• Origin: Probably from the Middle East. It is one of the least documented varieties internationally, considered local or niche.

• Tree: Medium vigor and open bearing, facilitating pruning and harvesting tasks.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Both flowering and ripening occur in an intermediate period.

• Nut: Medium size and rounded shape. The percentage of dehiscence (splitting) is moderate and the kernel tends to be yellowish-green. It is not one of the most productive varieties.

Aegina (or Aiginis, Koilarati)

• Origin: Greece, specifically from the island of Aegina. It is the most important variety in the Hellenic country and is widespread in the Mediterranean basin.

• Tree 🌳: Medium vigor and open bearing. It has relatively low chilling requirements and shows good drought resistance once established, making it suitable for warmer areas.

• Flowering and Pollination 🌸: Its flowering is early or mid-season. It is satisfactorily pollinated by males such as ‘C-Especial’ or ‘Randy’.

• Harvesting and Production Ripening is mid-season, before ‘Kerman’. Production is high and more constant than traditional varieties, with a lower tendency to alternate bearing.

• Nut 🥜: Medium size and elongated shape, with a high percentage of split nuts. The shell is light-colored and the kernel is an intense green and highly prized for its excellent flavor, making it ideal for the confectionery and pastry industry.

Agostana (or Agostina)

• Origin: Italy (Sicily), closely linked to cultivation on the slopes of the Etna volcano. Its name derives from its ripening in August.

• Tree: Medium-low vigor and compact bearing. It demonstrates notable hardiness and good adaptation to difficult terrain and drought conditions.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering is late, a highly appreciated characteristic as it allows it to avoid most spring frosts. Production is considered medium and may present some tendency to alternate bearing.

• Nut: Small to medium size, elongated shape, and with an intense green kernel color highly valued for baking. The percentage of split nuts is acceptable.

Ahmad Aghaei

• Origin: Iran. It is a long-type variety very popular in recent years.

• Tree: High vigor and very productive.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering and harvesting are mid-season.

• Nut: Long and large type, with a very bright white shell that makes it commercially very attractive. It has a very high percentage of split nuts and a medium tendency to alternate bearing.

Ain El-Thainah

• Origin: Syria. Well adapted to arid and continental climates.

• Tree: Medium vigor and semi-erect bearing.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering and ripening are mid-season, exposing it to a moderate risk of late frosts.

• Nut: Medium size and ovoid shape. It has a good percentage of dehiscence and the kernel is light green.

Aintaby (or Antep)

• Origin: Turkey, especially from the Gaziantep region. It is a very old variety.

• Tree: Low vigor and open bearing, allowing for somewhat denser planting layouts.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering and ripening are early, this being its main limiting factor due to its high vulnerability to spring frosts.

• Nut: Small size, with a thin shell. Its quality is exceptional, with a very intense green kernel and a very powerful and aromatic flavor, destined mainly for confectionery (baklava making). The percentage of split nuts is low, so a significant part is marketed as kernels.

Akart-Tachecmé

• Origin: Probably from Central Asia or Iran. It is a very uncommon and poorly documented variety, limited to germplasm banks. The scarce data point to a tree of medium vigor with intermediate phenology.

Akbari

• Origin: Iran. Known as the “super long” variety.

• Tree: High vigor and with a strong tendency to alternate bearing.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering is mid-season to late and harvesting is very late.

• Nut: Produces the longest and largest nut of all commercial varieties. It has great value in the market for its unique shape and excellent splitting percentage.

Alemi

• Origin: Iran.

• Tree: Medium vigor and semi-open bearing.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering and ripening are intermediate.

• Nut: Medium size and ovoid shape, with a good percentage of dehiscence. Its production is mainly destined for local consumption.

Alpina

• Origin: Recent achievement of breeding programs.

• Tree: Medium-high vigor with a semi-erect bearing.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Its main advantage is very late flowering, allowing it to be established in areas with a high risk of spring frosts. ❄️ Ripening is mid-season to late.

• Nut: Large size, rounded shape, and with a very high percentage of dehiscence. It is very productive and with less tendency to alternate bearing than many traditional ones. Its kernel is of good quality.

Aria

• Origin: Emerged from breeding programs.

• Tree: Medium vigor and easy management. Its entry into production is relatively early.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Shares with ‘Alpina’ a very late flowering, making it an excellent option for continental climates.

• Nut: Large caliber and rounded shape, very attractive for the snack market. Its productivity is high and constant, with a very high percentage of split nuts, exceeding 90%.

Ashoury (and synonyms: Ajamy, Achouri, Halebi, Red Jalab)

• Origin: Syria (Aleppo region). It is one of the reference varieties in Syria and internationally recognized.

• Tree: Vigorous and erect bearing, requires careful formative pruning to facilitate light entry and harvesting.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering is late, giving it an excellent advantage to avoid damage from spring frosts. Ripening is also late.

• Nut: Large and elongated size. The outer skin before harvest is a characteristic red color (hence the synonym ‘Red Jalab’). The kernel is yellowish-green and of excellent gustatory quality. It has a high percentage of split nuts and is very productive, although with a marked tendency to alternate bearing.

Avdat

• Origin: Israel. Selected for its adaptation to conditions of extreme aridity and high temperatures.

Avidon

• Origin: Israel, selected by the Volcani Institute.

• Tree: Moderate vigor and open bearing.

• Flowering: Intermediate period.

• Nut: Its main characteristic is its exceptionally large size and round shape, giving it great value in the snack market. The percentage of dehiscence is very high. Its productivity is good.

Badami Zarand

• Origin: Iran.

• Nut: It is an elongated fruit variety, similar in shape to an almond, and has good productivity.

Baidy (or Bayadi)

• Origin: Syria. Its name means “white” in Arabic, probably due to the light color of its shell.

• Tree: Medium vigor and somewhat open bearing.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering and harvesting are intermediate.

• Nut: Medium size, ovoid shape, and a highly prized whitish shell. The percentage of split nuts is good.

Barak Yildizi

• Origin: Turkey. Its name translates as “Star of Barak”.

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering and ripening are early, similar to ‘Aintaby’, making it susceptible to frosts.

• Nut: Medium size and rounded shape. Valued for its productivity and local adaptation.

Batouri (or Batoury, White Batouri)

• Origin: Syria. The adjective “White” refers to the light color of its shell.

• Tree: Medium-high vigor.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering and ripening are intermediate.

• Nut: Medium to large size, elongated shape, and with the aforementioned light shell. It has a good percentage of dehiscence.

Beyazben

• Origin: Turkey. It is a secondary and minority variety, with limited agronomic information.

Chor-Tchéchimé

• Origin: Central Asian or Iranian. It is a very uncommon and poorly documented variety, limited to germplasm banks. The scarce data point to a tree of medium vigor with intermediate phenology.

Değirmi

• Origin: Turkey. Its name means “round”.

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Flowering: Early, exposing it to a high risk of frost.

• Nut: Medium size and spherical shape, similar to the Iranian ‘Fandoghi’.

Golden Hills

• Origin: USA (University of California, Davis, UC Davis). Released in 2005 along with its specific pollinator, ‘Randy’.

• Tree 🌳: Medium vigor, with a more open bearing than ‘Kerman’ and a structure that facilitates pruning and mechanized harvesting. Its main advantage is its extraordinary precocity, entering production in the fourth or fifth year.

• Flowering and Pollination 🌸: Flowering is early, 7 to 10 days ahead of ‘Kerman’. Requires an early-flowering pollinator, with ‘Randy’ being its ideal partner.

• Harvesting and Production: Harvesting is considerably earlier than ‘Kerman’, usually in late August or early September. Its productive capacity is very high and very constant, with a very low tendency to alternate bearing.

• Nut 🥜: Slightly smaller caliber than ‘Kerman’, but of exceptional quality. The percentage of split nuts is very high and the percentage of empty nuts is very low. It has less shell staining, giving it a very clean and attractive commercial appearance. Ideal for the snack market.

Gumdrop

• Origin: North America.

• Nut: Selected for its small size, ideal for certain niches in the food industry.

Haciserifi

• Origin: Turkey. It is a local variety with limited agronomic data.

Hinnulina

• Origin: Italy (Sicily).

• Tree: Low vigor and late flowering.

• Nut: Small, destined for local consumption.

Imperiale de Dameghan

• Origin: Iran (Damghan region). Attributed with a large fruit and excellent flavor, although its cultivation is limited and it is not a common export variety.

Insolia

• Origin: Its use to name a pistachio variety is very uncommon and is probably due to a local confusion, as it is better known as a grape variety. There are no reliable agronomic references.

Iraq

• Origin: Not a variety, but a reference to ecotypes from Iraq. Its plantations are usually based on local material or imported from neighboring countries.

Joley

• Origin: Israel.

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Nut: Large size and good appearance, with a high percentage of dehiscence and good yield.

Kastel

• Origin: Greece (Phthiotis region).

• Tree: Medium vigor and open bearing.

• Flowering: Intermediate period.

• Nut: Medium-large size, elongated shape, and whitish shell. Productive and of good quality.

Kerman

• Origin: Iran, selected in Chico, California (USA). Possibly the best known and most widely cultivated female variety worldwide.

• Tree 🌳: Very high vigor, with an open and upright bearing. Requires wide planting layouts (7×7 or 7×6 meters). Its entry into production is late.

• Flowering and Pollination 🌸: Flowering is late and concentrated. Needs a matching pollinator, with ‘Peter’ being the traditional and ideal partner, with almost perfect synchronization.

• Harvesting and Production: Ripening is late (late September or early October). Production is high but with a strong tendency to alternate bearing (alternation of harvests).

• Nut 🥜: Produces a large, round-shaped nut with exceptional organoleptic quality. The percentage of split nuts is very high (>90%). The shell is an attractive whitish color and the kernel is an intense green. Its main destination is the snack market.

Keten Gömleği

• Origin: Turkey. Minority local variety with poorly documented characteristics.

Kirmizi

• Origin: Turkey. Its name means “red” due to the color of the fruit’s skin.

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Flowering: Early, making it sensitive to frosts.

• Nut: Medium size and locally appreciated.

Kouchka

• Origin: Iran. Non-commercial local variety. Attributed with a medium vigor tree and a small to medium-sized, ovoid-shaped fruit.

Larnaka

• Origin: Cyprus. Traditional Mediterranean variety.

• Tree 🌳: Medium vigor and semi-erect bearing. Its main characteristic is its low chilling hour requirement, making it suitable for coastal areas or mild winters.

• Flowering and Pollination 🌸: Flowering is early. Pollinates well with early-flowering males like ‘C-Especial’ or ‘Randy’.

• Harvesting and Production: Harvesting is mid-season. Production is good and quite regular.

• Nut 🥜: Medium size, elongated shape, and with a good percentage of dehiscence, although lower than ‘Kerman’. The kernel has good flavor and color.

Lassen

• Origin: USA (California). Selected from ‘Kerman’ seeds.

• Tree: Very similar to ‘Kerman’ in vigor and bearing.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Flowering is late, but its ripening is one to two weeks earlier than ‘Kerman’.

• Nut: Large and round, but may have a lower splitting percentage and a higher percentage of empty nuts than ‘Kerman’, which has limited its expansion.

Lathwardy (or Lazouardi)

• Origin: Syria. It is a secondary variety with mid-season phenology and medium-sized, elongated fruit.

Lost Hills

• Origin: USA (UC Davis), released along with ‘Golden Hills’.

• Tree 🌳: Medium vigor and very productive from the early years. Its structure is ideal for mechanized harvesting and stands out for its early entry into production.

• Flowering and Pollination 🌸: Flowering is early, similar to ‘Golden Hills’. Its recommended and specific pollinator is ‘Randy’.

• Harvesting and Production: Harvesting time is early (late August or early September). It has very high and constant productivity.

• Nut 🥜: Medium-high caliber, with a slightly more elongated shape than ‘Golden Hills’. The percentage of split nuts is exceptionally high (often >95%) and empty nuts are minimal.

Mateur

• Origin: Tunisia. It is the main variety grown in the country.

• Tree 🌳: Very vigorous and hardy, with an open bearing. It shows magnificent adaptation to drought and poor soils. Its chilling requirements are low.

• Flowering and Pollination 🌸: Flowering is early.

• Harvesting and Production: Harvesting is mid-season. Productive, although sensitive to alternate bearing if not managed correctly.

• Nut 🥜: Medium size and elongated shape. The percentage of split nuts is good.

Mirhavy

• Origin: Possibly Iranian or Central Asian. Very little known and without reliable agronomic data.

Nab al Jamal

• Origin: Syria. Its name could be translated as “camel’s tusk”. 🐪

• Tree: Vigorous.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Intermediate to late.

• Nut: As its name suggests, it is large and very elongated and curved in shape.

Nychati (or Nichati)

• Origin: Greece.

• Tree: Medium vigor and open bearing.

• Flowering: Intermediate period.

• Nut: Medium size and elongated shape. Has a good percentage of split nuts and is prized for its quality.

Ouleimy (Red, White)

• Origin: Syria. The designations “Red” or “White” describe the color of the fruit skin or shell.

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Intermediate.

• Nut: Medium size and ovoid shape, it is a versatile variety in the Syrian market.

Pete 1

• Origin: USA (California). It is a very early flowering variety.

Pignatone

• Origin: Italy (Sicily).

• Tree: Medium vigor and late flowering.

• Nut: Medium size and conical shape. Minority crop.

Pontikis

• Origin: Greece (island of Aegina).

• Tree: Medium vigor and spreading bearing.

• Flowering: Early, making it vulnerable to frosts outside mild climates.

• Nut: Medium size, elongated shape, with an exceptional and highly recognized flavor and aroma.

Red Aleppo

• Origin: Syria. Traditional variety known for the reddish color of the kernel skin.

Safeed (or Sefid) / Sefid-e Nogh

• Origin: ‘Safeed’ means “white” in Persian and describes a group of Iranian varieties. ‘Sefid-e Nogh’ is one of them, from Nogh (Kerman, Iran).

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Flowering and Harvesting: Intermediate.

• Nut: Medium size and elongated shape. Prized for its light-colored shell, good flavor, and good yields.

Sel 14

• Origin: Unknown. It is a technical designation of a breeding program, not a traditional variety name.

Sfax

• Origin: Tunisia (Sfax region).

• Tree: Low vigor and very hardy.

• Flowering: Early, its main problem is susceptibility to late frosts.

• Nut: Small size (similar to ‘Aintaby’) and with an intense green kernel, prized for industry.

Shah Pasand Damghan

• Origin: Iran (Damghan). Its name means “the Shah’s favorite”.

• Nut: It is a gourmet variety of the “long” type, highly prized for its exceptional flavor and elegant shape. Its productivity is low and its price is very high.

Silvana

• Origin: Italy. Variety with very limited public information.

Sirora

• Origin: Australia (developed by CSIRO).

• Tree 🌳: Medium-high vigor, with a more compact bearing than ‘Kerman’. Enters production earlier than ‘Kerman’.

• Flowering and Pollination 🌸: Its flowering is mid-season to late, slightly earlier than ‘Kerman’. It is compatible with ‘Randy’ and ‘Peter’.

• Harvesting and Production: Harvesting is earlier than ‘Kerman’ (early September). Its production is high and more constant, with less tendency to alternate bearing.

• Nut 🥜: Large caliber (slightly smaller than ‘Kerman’) and more elongated shape. The percentage of split nuts is excellent, often higher than ‘Kerman’. It has a lower incidence of empty nuts. It is very versatile, suitable for both the snack market and industry.

Sultani

• Origin: Syria.

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Phenology: Intermediate.

• Nut: Large size and elongated shape, with good organoleptic characteristics.

Tardiva

• Origin: Italy. It is not a variety, but an adjective (“late”) that could be a local name for a late-ripening selection.

Tekin

• Origin: Turkey.

• Tree: Medium vigor.

• Flowering: Early, which poses a frost risk.

• Nut: Large and rounded size, very good appearance. It is productive.

The Jalale

• Origin: Probably a variant of the name ‘Jalali’, an Iranian variety with an elongated, medium-sized fruit.

Trabonella

• Origin: Italy (Sicily). Minority local variety with medium vigor tree, late flowering, and medium fruit.

Uzun

• Origin: Turkey.

• Nut: Along with ‘Siirt’, it is one of the main Turkish varieties. ‘Uzun’ means “long”, and it has an elongated fruit and medium vigor.

Wahedi (or Wahed)

• Origin: USA (California), selected from ‘Kerman’.

• Tree: Vigorous and late flowering, similar to ‘Kerman’.

• Nut: Very large, more elongated than ‘Kerman’, with a very high percentage of split nuts. However, its higher percentage of empty nuts has limited its commercial expansion.

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Notable Regional Varietal Groups

Iranian Varieties: A Universe of Flavors and Shapes
Iran is the cradle of the pistachio and possesses immense varietal wealth. In addition to the already described Akbari, Ahmad Aghaei, Badami Zarand, and Shah Pasand Damghan, the following stand out:

• Fandoghi (or Ouhadi, Boundoky): The most cultivated in Iran. “Little round one”. Spherical fruit of small-medium caliber. Very productive and early, with high economic return in the first years.

• Kalehghouchi: “Ram’s head”. Large and rounded fruit, similar to ‘Kerman’. Prized for its caliber, but sensitive to lack of water and frosts.

• Momtaz (or Sefideh-Montaz): “Excellent”. Medium, elongated fruit with a very light shell. Valued for its good flavor and productivity.

• Qazvini (or Ravzine): From the Qazvin region. Very small fruit, but with a very intense green kernel and excellent flavor, ideal for the luxury industry.

Italian Varieties: Gourmet Quality from Etna
In Bronte (Sicily) we find native varieties prized for their organoleptic quality, although with lower yields and very prone to alternate bearing.

• Bianca (or Napoletana, Femminella): The basis of the “Pistacchio Verde di Bronte DOP”. Medium vigor tree, late flowering. Medium-small and elongated fruit. Its value lies in the emerald green kernel and intense aroma, destined for haute cuisine.

• Other local varieties that share similar characteristics are Agostana, Cappuccia, Cerasola, Ghiandalora, Hinnulina, Natalora, Pignatone, and Trabonella.

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Comprehensive Comparative Table of Pistachio Varieties

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Final Conclusion from Our Experts

Choosing the pistachio variety is a complex decision. There is no universal “perfect variety”; there is the optimal variety for specific conditions and defined goals. Factors such as accumulated chilling hours, the risk of late frosts, water availability, soil type, and the market to which the production will be destined are determining factors.

• Californian varieties like ‘Golden Hills’ and ‘Lost Hills’ have brought about a paradigm shift due to their precocity, their very high and constant productivity, and their adaptation to mechanization, making them very safe options.

• ‘Kerman’, despite its late entry into production and alternate bearing, remains the quality benchmark in size and flavor for direct consumption.

• ‘Sirora’ or ‘Aegina’ are still excellent alternatives, especially in areas with somewhat milder winters or for diversification.

• For gourmet markets, Italian varieties like ‘Bianca’ (Bronte) or Iranian ones like ‘Qazvini’ are incomparable.

At Agro Vivero del Mediterráneo, we not only provide pistachio plants of the highest quality, but we offer comprehensive and personalized advice. We study each project to help our clients make the right decision. If you wish to take the next step, you can request a personalized quote without obligation.

Our knowledge and experience are your best ally to turn your project into a resounding success. Do not hesitate to get in contact with us to resolve any doubts. 🌳✨