Pistachios - Colorful Science, Pleasurable Snacking, And The Perfect Healthy Pairing For Your Morning Mug

In Iran, they have been called the smiling nut. 

In China, they are known as the happy nut.

In ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations they were used medicinally. 

The Queen of Sheba was once said to have declared this nut suitable only for royalty, even making it illegal for commoners to grow trees producing this gem.

Biblically, this nut was deemed precious, even used as a gift offering along with valuable items such as myrrh, honey, and almonds. 

In India, this nut is valued in the winter months as it’s believed to warm the body when eaten. 

During the Middle Ages, Europeans viewed this tree nut as a luxury item. 

Today, the United States is the world’s largest producer of this nut (over 800 billion pounds per year).

In many cultures, these nuts are considered to be appropriate gifts for holidays and special occasions. 

And, across multiple cultures, they are symbols of health, happiness, and good luck. 

Some actually refer to these nuts as fruits, as they begin as a type of fleshy fruit, but for culinary purposes, the ‘nut’ description commonly wins. 

Now, enough with the suspense already…which nut (or fruit) are we referring to? 

If you haven’t already guessed, today we’re highlighting the pistachio!

Pistachios are uniquely hued, incredibly delicious, and downright addictive. 

But, what gives the pistachio such a vibrant green color? 

And, why are they so delicious - a fitting ingredient for dishes ranging from savory to sweet, even a perfect creamy companion for your coffee cup? 

Then, what makes this nut so darn addictive? 

Let’s find out…

The Addictive Science Behind Pistachios

Before we explore their beautiful color as well as how easy it is to use pistachios in a variety of treats (spoiler alert, we’ll be providing you with some fabulously tasty pistachio-coffee recipes today), first let’s find out why these nuts seem to be so addictive!

If you’ve never tried pistachios, or if you’re unfamiliar with their addictive nature, the following scenarios are quite common:

• You buy a small bag of pistachios from your local grocery store. This serving is soon depleted, and therefore you’re incredibly tempted to make a repeat trip to the market to purchase another bag, and another, etc. 
• You purchase a bulk size bag of pistachios at a retailer such as Costco. Once home, you carefully measure out a serving of pistachios, but somehow, miraculously, you find yourself rummaging through your pantry to expand that serving, even multiple times. 

If either of this sound familiar, you’re not alone. Pistachios are indeed tempting, even downright addicting! 

But how? And, why? 

There are actually a few theories as to why these nuts are so tempting.

First, pistachios are addicting due to their nutrient profile. 

Pistachios contain a very specific combination of fatty acids and proteins, and together, these trigger a dopamine response. 

So, when you eat pistachios, this combination prompts your brain to release dopamine, a chemical tasked with transmitting signals between nerve cells.

And, these signals, in particular, communicate feelings of pleasure and motivation. Or, to go a bit deeper, these signals actually influence your perception of pleasure and motivation. 

Therefore, when you eat pistachios, your brain is communicating feelings of pleasure, and your perception of this feeling is amplified, so of course you want to consume more of this seemingly magical little gem that’s making you feel happy.

Aside from this, the very act of eating pistachios is gratifying, specifically when you’re snacking on these nuts in the shell. 

When you have to remove the shell to eat pistachios, this keeps you engaged throughout the experience, and some say the repetitive nature of this engaging task brings about a feeling of satisfaction that keeps you coming back for more. 

Then, another addictive quality of pistachios is related to their protein and fiber content. 

The protein and fiber in pistachios make them a very satiating snack, and due to this, you tend to feel more energized, for longer periods of time, when enjoying these nuts. 

So, for some, the filling nature of pistachios is just another reason to keep adding this snack to the grocery cart, week in and week out.

But, they’re not just appealing as a standalone snack. These nuts also make great additions to both sweet and savory dishes, even adding a uniquely green hue to such treats and dishes. 

Wait? Green food? 

Other than salads and other veggies, isn’t it a little odd to enjoy a green-colored dish or drink? 

Not at all! 

In fact, for some folks, it’s the green hue of pistachio creams, butters, ice creams, muffins, pastries, and other dishes that provides just enough intrigue to keep people coming back for more. 

So, before we get to those pistachio coffee recipes, which could potentially create a touch of color in your coffee cup, let’s explore the science behind the green color these nuts provide, even after a bit of baking (and more).

Pistachio Kitchen Science - Why So Green?

Once roasted, pistachios tend to turn a darker shade, particularly transitioning from a brightly hued green to a rich brown color. 

But, unroasted, these gems proudly boast a beautiful display of, what I personally see as a lovely chartreuse shade of green. 

Of course, the real intrigue lies in how this vibrantly colored nut retains its hue even when used in baked goods, etc. 

I’m sure most of you remember learning about chlorophyll in your elementary and middle school scientific studies. 

And, if you’ll recall from these studies, chlorophyll is what gives plants their bright green color. 

Well, chlorophyll comes in for the beautiful green win when it comes to pistachios as well. 

Yep, chlorophyll, not borophyll (thank you, Adam Sandler) is what gives pistachios their unique coloration. 

And, while this is certainly a cool fact, what piques my interest even further is the fact that this green coloring, due to chlorophyll, is also what gives pistachios an edge regarding the many health benefits these nuts bring to the body! 

You see, chlorophyll is actually a powerful antioxidant, and due to this component, pistachios may prevent cellular damage, even potentially reducing your risk of multiple diseases, including cancer. 

When cooking or baking, if you’re preparing your treats or dishes at a low temperature, you can expect your pistachio infused items to retain this chlorophyll-rooted green color. 

But, if your recipe calls for higher temperatures, which will likely remove this hue, you can always provide a pop of pistachio color by adding a few of these crushed nuts as toppings or garnishes. 

Of course, you can also opt for using pistachio milk, cream, or butter to tickle your green-loving fancy when whipping up something tasty, or you can enhance this colorful addition by using other green items in your culinary concoctions such as matcha, spinach, and even green spirulina powder. 

Mmmm…I don’t know about you, but now that we’re talking about using pistachios to make some tasty treats, I’m ready to do just that! 

So, let’s move into our kitchens and take a look at a few fabulous ways to infuse those buttery, nutty, creamy pistachio flavors into our daily coffee.

That’s right - pistachio coffee! YUM!

5 Perfectly Pistachio Coffee Recipes

Lifeboost Pistachio Coffee has become a customer fan favorite, and with its smooth texture, slightly buttery flavor, and decadently creamy mouthfeel, it’s no wonder! 

You’ve likely seen a variety of pistachio flavored options at many coffee shops and cafes across the country, but this natural infusing of nutty goodness into our classic medium roast coffee is truly unparalleled. 

So, we’ve decided to bring you a variety of green-hued pistachio coffee recipes to try, allowing you to fully take advantage of this chlorophyll-ed…get it, filled with chlorophyll, chlorophyll-ed…no? Okay, moving on - nutty coffee companion.

1- Creamy, Dreamy Green Cup

Let’s start simple…with a delicious pistachio affogato!

As we mentioned in the section above, when cooked at low temperatures (or not cooked at all), pistachio infused treats have a rich green color, thanks to their chlorophyll component. 

When making pistachio ice cream or gelato, sometimes these nuts can be roasted prior to use, and this means the ice cream will have a greenish-brown hue, but in some cases, these confections do have a more vibrant green color. 

So, if you’re looking to jazz up your sipping experience, as well as tantalize your taste buds, with a little green, here’s your chance! 

Ingredients

• 4 ounces strongly brewed Lifeboost Pistachio Coffee or 2 shots Lifeboost Espresso Coffee
  
• ½ cup or 1 full scoop pistachio gelato or ice cream

Instructions

• Add one heaping scoop or ½ cup of pistachio gelato (or ice cream) to a large mug. 
  
• Top gelato with Pistachio Coffee or Espresso. 
  
• Enjoy through spoonfuls or sips, your choice! 
  

2- Pistachio Cream Cold Brew

Is this spring’s new PSL rival? 

I think it is! 

Throughout the autumn months, the pumpkin spice lattes and the pumpkin cream cold brews walk around all proud and boastful, parading their popularity like a prize. 

But, there’s a rival around the corner, needing only to make it through a few blustery cold winter months before appearing as a springtime champion, equally worthy of a popularity parade, proudly displaying its temptingly colored foam, beckoning you to sip the creamy, buttery smooth cold brew beneath. 

That’s right, we’re talking about a tasty pistachio cream cold brew! 

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Pistachio Coffee
  
• 2 teaspoons raw honey, divided
  
• 1 tablespoon pistachio cream
  
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• Ice

Instructions

• Add ice to a tall glass and top with cold brew. Stir in 1 teaspoon of honey and set aside.
• Add pistachio cream, heavy cream, vanilla, and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass, stirring to combine. 
  
• Using a handheld frother, froth the pistachio cream mixture until thick and creamy. If you do not have a handheld frother, you can simply add these ingredients to a mason jar, cover with a lid, then shake vigorously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. 
  
• Top cold brew with pistachio cream cold foam and enjoy!
  

3- Good Morning, Green Goodness

Who doesn’t love a quick, easy, protein packed, satiating, tasty smoothie in the morning?

A coffee smoothie or protein shake is a great way to get an antioxidant boost while fueling up with lots of other nutrient dense, healthy items at the same time. 

And this one doesn’t disappoint if you’re like me, loving all things green! 

Oh, and if you’d like an even greater dose of green and an added antioxidant boost, feel free to add ½-1 teaspoon of matcha powder to this one. 

Matcha does add an earthy flavor here, but I personally don’t find it to be overpowering. So, if you’re a matcha fan, feel free to really go green! 

Ingredients

• 6 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Pistachio Coffee
  
• ½ cup pistachio milk (or milk of your choice) 
  
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  
• ¼ cup raw pistachio nuts
  
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  
• 1 handful fresh spinach 
  
• 1 tablespoon flax meal
  
• ½-1 teaspoon matcha powder (optional) 
  
• Ice

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. 
  
• Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!
  

4- Honey Vanilla Pistachio Latte

Honey and pistachio flavors complement one another, with honey adding a rich, sometimes floral, sweetness to the pistachio’s naturally nutty and creamy tastes. 

Vanilla, on the other hand, is a common go-to when it comes to pistachio combinations, with each adding their own unique velvety richness to any base…here coffee! 

Together, honey, vanilla, and pistachio form a pleasantly perfect trio, creating a subtly sweet, yet decadently nutty and smooth flavor that will keep you coming back for more! 

**If you’re not a fan of adding honey to coffee, feel free to substitute your sweetener of choice in the following latte. 

Ingredients

• 8 ounces freshly brewed Lifeboost Pistachio Coffee
  
• ½ cup pistachio milk (store bought, or check out the homemade version below)
  
• 2 teaspoons raw honey

Instructions

• Add freshly brewed coffee to your favorite mug, then stir in honey. 
  
• Froth pistachio milk using a steaming wand from an espresso machine or add milk to an electric frother and froth on the heated setting. 
  
• Top prepared coffee with frothed or steamed pistachio milk and enjoy! 

Homemade Pistachio Milk

• 1 cup unsalted, roasted pistachios, shelled
  
• 3 cups filtered water
  
• 2 medjool dates, pitted
  
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional) 
  
• Nut milk bag

Soak roasted, unsalted, shelled pistachios in water for 4 hours. 

Rinse and drain soaked pistachios, then add to a high-speed blender along with all of the other ingredients listed above. 

Blend for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. 

Using a nut milk bag, strain the pistachio milk, squeezing as much liquid out of the pulp as you can. 

Store the pistachio milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. *The milk may separate as it rests, so be sure to shake well before using.

5- Some Like It Hot…or Iced

We toyed with an optional matcha addition in one of our selections above, but this one brings that flavor front and center. 

We’ll be using a strongly brewed coffee in this one as this boldness works well to balance out the earthy tastes of matcha. 

Then, as we’ll be combining these two complimentary wonders with the infused nutty, creamy, buttery smooth goodness of pistachio, you’ll experience a truly tasty, uniquely green, blend of fabulous flavor! 

*We’ll be listing the instructions to make this hot, but if you prefer iced, simply chill your coffee after brewing before using in this drink. 

Ingredients

• 6 ounces strongly brewed Lifeboost Pistachio Coffee
  
• ¼-½ teaspoon matcha powder
  
• 1-ounce pistachio syrup (see recipe below) 
  
• ½ cup pistachio milk 

Instructions

• Add freshly brewed coffee to a large mug, then whisk in matcha powder vigorously until fully incorporated. (If you’re making this iced, I would advise whisking the matcha into the coffee while hot, then allowing the mixture to cool before mixing again and adding ice.) 
  
• Add pistachio syrup to coffee and matcha mixture, then stir to combine. 
  
• Add pistachio milk to an electric frother and froth on the heated setting. 
  
• Top latte with frothed pistachio milk and enjoy!

Homemade Pistachio Syrup

• 1 cup filtered water
  
• 1 cup cane sugar
  
• 1 cup unsalted pistachios, chopped

Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. 

Stir continuously to dissolve sugar and bring to a boil. 

Once boiling, lower the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes (it should thicken a bit during this time). 

Remove from heat and strain out pistachio pieces. 

Store the syrup in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. (Mixture will continue to thicken slightly under refrigeration.)

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.

References:

https://www.heartofthedesert.com/eight-interesting-historical-and-cultural-facts-about-pistachios/

https://foodprint.org/real-food/pistachios/#

https://www.nomadwholefoods.co.nz/blogs/blog/confessions-of-a-pistachio-addict#

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-benefits-of-pistachios#weight-loss

https://americanpistachios.org/food-professionals/baking-with-pistachios#

https://seedandshell.com/blogs/seed-shell-blog/the-green-glow-why-pistachios-are-naturally-green#

https://nouveauraw.com/reference-library/soaking-nuts-seeds-and-grains/pistachio-nuts-soaking-and-drying/

https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2023/08/homemade-pistachio-butter.html#

https://bitesbybianca.com/pistachio-cold-foam/#recipe

https://foodfamilyfriends.com/2022/02/02/pistachio-nut-protein-smoothie/

https://www.veggiejam.com/english/diy-pistachio-milk/

https://www.dashofjazz.com/pistachio-matcha-latte/#recipe

https://wearenotmartha.com/pistachio-syrup/