The humble pistachio has been around for thousands of years, and this combination of pistachio and dates is not new! Did you know it all started in the middle east and Central Asia. Its consumption dates back to 6750 BCE. They were highly valued by ancient civilisations including Romans, Greeks and Egyptians. They were particularly valued for their health and medicinal benefits.

The pistachio is a member of the cashew family, and the kernals can be eaten roasted and salted, raw, made into an icecream, dessert or savoury dish.

They have a unique flavour, and some amazing health benefits:

Antioxidants: polyphenols, phytochemicals, gama-tocopherols: which are all known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxiidant effects. Including antioxidants in your diet reduces your risk of cancers and other diseases by reducing oxidative stress and free radical accumulation, that can damage our cells. Pistachios contain higher concentrations of antioxidants that most other nuts!
Contain Lutein and zeaxanthin: known antioxidants that are beneficial for eye health- research has demonstrated that these particulary reduce the rish of the development of chronic eye conditions such as cataracts
Micro and macro nutrients: pistachios are rich in protein, healthy fats and fiber!.
They are also rich in many vitamins and minerals including B6, which is important for cognitive function, thiamine, magnesium, copper, potassium, zinc, manganese and phosphorus
Gut health: pistachios contain prebiotics that helps feed the good bacteria in the gut and digestive system
Heart health: High antioxidants needed for cardiovascular health, and shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which are linked to cardiovascular issues.

Pistachio Benefits

And this particular combination, of dates and pistachio, has been a favourite and the OLDEST RECORDED DESSERT RECIPE - in the form of pistachio and date balls! Otherwise known as mersu, an ancient mesopotamian snack, recorded over 4000 years ago (1750 BC). Amazing hey!

This has the best flavours with my favourites combinations - pistachios, dates, chocolate. I absolutely love the flavour, and love the nutritional combination combined, it is just so SO good, in many many ways!

Pistachio - Cashew - Dates - Chocolate

Dates are hard to write about because there is just so much to them. They are packed with micro and macronutrients, phytonutrients, so many antioxidants, and known to reduce blood sugar. Not to mention how great they taste and how versatile they are in cooking. They are amazing by itself, amazing in recipes, amazing for your health!

Contain nutrients like copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron and B6
High in fiber, which is needed for amazing gut health, but also part of the reason they HELP LOWER BLOOD SUGAR and insulin
Fiber is also important for heart health, lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, preventing weight gain, and reducing the risks of many cancers - colon, rectal, and diseases including heart disease and diabetes
The antioxidants in dates have been shown to help with many diseases and so many issues that free radicals can cause or contribute to. They contain carotenoids, flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids and polyphenols, that are all known for their anti inflammatory actions as well as antioxidant, for vision, heart and the brain!
Dates have been studied for its help with cognitive function, due to its antioxidant content. This has been shown with improved learning, memory and reduced anxiety levels
Help with digestive function and metabolism
Lower inflammatory markers, such as interleukin 6 in the brain, which is associated with higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like alzeihmers
Great for BONE health! due to the minerals phosphurus, calcium and magnesium, which are all needed for bone health!

Date Benefits

Recipe

Pistachio - Cashew - Butter

This is another version of pistachio butter I am sure you will ove! The cashews make this a bit smoother and creamier, and gives you the additional benefits from cashews.

This is an amazing flavour combo with my favourites combinations - pistachios, cashews, and a pinch of sea salt, so, SO good

Ingredients:

2 cups unsalted pistachios

2 cups raw cashews

pinch sea salt

Roast nuts together on a flat tray, on 180 degrees celsius for 15 mins.

Blend into a nut butter. This takes a good 5-10 minutes of blending in a food processor. It goes from a crumbly texture, then a paste. Be patient! Once you see an oily glaze over the smooth paste it is ready

Store for 3 months in a glass jar