more about pistachios & OUR ORCHARD
How Pistachios Grow & Other Interesting Facts
Pistachios are not a true botanical nut, rather they are the seed of a drupe. The pistachio belongs to a group of drupes called “culinary nuts” that include cashews and almonds. A drupe is a fleshy tree fruit that contains a shell-covered seed. With pistachios we discard the fruit flesh for the seed within. The opposite is true with other drupes such as stone fruits like peaches. With those the fruit flesh is eaten and the pits are left behind.
The pistachio tree is native to Western Asia and the Middle East and is believed to originate from Iran where the tree grew wild in the high desert regions. In order to grow and bear fruit, the tree requires very hot summers and very cold winters. Interestingly, it is believed King Nebuchadnezzar had pistachios growing in the hanging gardens of Babylon.
The pistachio tree is deciduous and dioecious - that is there are actually both male and female pistachio trees. In the spring, the female pistachio tree develops heavy grape-like clusters of green coloured fruits (drupes), which gradually over the summer harden and turn red. Within the fruit is the green and purple seed, which is the edible part we all love to eat. The nuts are harvested when the soft husk or hull covering the shell becomes fairly loose and turns a rosy pink/red colour.
At Sungkai Park we generally harvest our nuts from late February through to the end of March or early April, depending on the season. Once collected from the tree, the nuts are quickly dehulled as they will readily sweat without refrigeration. The dehulled nuts are then slowly dried and sold raw (unsalted) in their shells. Kept in an airtight container, these nuts will store for many months - but only if you can resist eating them for that long!!
In our orchard we do not use any insecticides or chemicals and our trees are only fertilized with manure from our fowl yards and organic brewed worm casting tea which we make ourselves.
The pistachio tree is native to Western Asia and the Middle East and is believed to originate from Iran where the tree grew wild in the high desert regions. In order to grow and bear fruit, the tree requires very hot summers and very cold winters. Interestingly, it is believed King Nebuchadnezzar had pistachios growing in the hanging gardens of Babylon.
The pistachio tree is deciduous and dioecious - that is there are actually both male and female pistachio trees. In the spring, the female pistachio tree develops heavy grape-like clusters of green coloured fruits (drupes), which gradually over the summer harden and turn red. Within the fruit is the green and purple seed, which is the edible part we all love to eat. The nuts are harvested when the soft husk or hull covering the shell becomes fairly loose and turns a rosy pink/red colour.
At Sungkai Park we generally harvest our nuts from late February through to the end of March or early April, depending on the season. Once collected from the tree, the nuts are quickly dehulled as they will readily sweat without refrigeration. The dehulled nuts are then slowly dried and sold raw (unsalted) in their shells. Kept in an airtight container, these nuts will store for many months - but only if you can resist eating them for that long!!
In our orchard we do not use any insecticides or chemicals and our trees are only fertilized with manure from our fowl yards and organic brewed worm casting tea which we make ourselves.
Nutritional Information
Our pistachio nuts are natural, unsalted and a rich source of nutrients. Food Standards Australia New Zealand analysis of dried unsalted pistachios report that the key components of a pistachio nut are fat (approx 51%), protein (approx 20%), dietary fibre (approx 10%) and starch and sugars (approx 7%). Most importantly, the majority of fat contained in a pistachio nut comes from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Saturated fat contributes to only 12% of the fat content of a pistachio nut.
Pistachios are a rich source of minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and sodium. Pistachios are also a good source of B group vitamins - Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B6), and Biotin (B7). In addition, Pistachios are a good source of Folate and Vitamin E. A good source for further information on this topic is Food Standards Australia New Zealand Nuttab 2010 online searchable database.
Pistachios are a rich source of minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and sodium. Pistachios are also a good source of B group vitamins - Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B6), and Biotin (B7). In addition, Pistachios are a good source of Folate and Vitamin E. A good source for further information on this topic is Food Standards Australia New Zealand Nuttab 2010 online searchable database.
Honey & Beeswax
At Sungkai Park we keep bees to assist with pollination. The bees also get to forage over the range of redgum and eucalypt woodlands we have on our property and adjoining areas. As a result, usually by summers end, we have pure raw cold extracted honey available along with limited quantities of pure raw unrefined unfiltered beeswax.
Our honey is only sourced from our farm and adjoining area. However, each harvest flavour will vary slightly depending on what has been predominantly flowering at the time. As the honey is pure it will crystalise when the weather is colder. During these colder periods it can be easily returned to a more liquid state by warming, such as putting the honey container in a bowl of warm water, or warming in the microwave on a very low defrost setting.
Honey is available in glass screw top jars or plastic containers. Purchasing glass jars is ideal if collecting in person. The jars are 500ml and sell for $10.00. For orders requiring delivery we recommend purchasing the honey in a more robust BPA free plastic container. These containers are reusable, microwave safe, freezer safe and dishwasher safe. These containers are 500ml and sell for $10.00. Postage rates for delivery anywhere in Australia varies depending on the type of container preferred. A glass jar including protective packaging costs $14.00 postage. A plastic container costs $10.00 postage.
Our pure raw unrefined unfiltered beeswax is provided in blocks which weight approximately 325g. The colour of our beeswax can vary from batch to batch and season to season depending on where the bees have been foraging. Blocks are $30.00. Two blocks can be posted anywhere in Australia for $10.00.
Please use the contact form below if you would like to know anything further about our honey or to place an order.
Our honey is only sourced from our farm and adjoining area. However, each harvest flavour will vary slightly depending on what has been predominantly flowering at the time. As the honey is pure it will crystalise when the weather is colder. During these colder periods it can be easily returned to a more liquid state by warming, such as putting the honey container in a bowl of warm water, or warming in the microwave on a very low defrost setting.
Honey is available in glass screw top jars or plastic containers. Purchasing glass jars is ideal if collecting in person. The jars are 500ml and sell for $10.00. For orders requiring delivery we recommend purchasing the honey in a more robust BPA free plastic container. These containers are reusable, microwave safe, freezer safe and dishwasher safe. These containers are 500ml and sell for $10.00. Postage rates for delivery anywhere in Australia varies depending on the type of container preferred. A glass jar including protective packaging costs $14.00 postage. A plastic container costs $10.00 postage.
Our pure raw unrefined unfiltered beeswax is provided in blocks which weight approximately 325g. The colour of our beeswax can vary from batch to batch and season to season depending on where the bees have been foraging. Blocks are $30.00. Two blocks can be posted anywhere in Australia for $10.00.
Please use the contact form below if you would like to know anything further about our honey or to place an order.
CONTACT
Want to order pistachios or need further Information?
You can contact us by this form.
You can contact us by this form.
CONTACT DETAILS
enquiries@sungkaipark.com
Call/Text: 0434 146 824
enquiries@sungkaipark.com
Call/Text: 0434 146 824
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Sungkai Park ABN 38 266 250 673 - Hume & Hovell Rd, Seymour - www.sungkaipark.com