What the Heck Is Pistachio Butter and Why Are You Suddenly Seeing It Everywhere? ...Saudi Arabia

If you're anything like us, there’s a good chance pistachio butter (and its creamy cousins pistachio cream, pistachio spread and pistachio paste) are popping up all over your social media feed, whether it's recipes or some iteration of the viral Dubai chocolate. You may even have some hanging around your kitchen right now, ready to drizzle over toast or ice cream (or, let's be real, eaten straight from the jar). And while pistachios have always had a loyal fan base (and a brilliant, star-studded marketing campaign), in the last year or so, jarred pistachio butters and spreads have gone from a rare, pricey treat to an accessible luxury you can find at almost every store, including Walmart. But what exactly is pistachio butter and how does it differ from pistachio spread, cream or paste? And can you make it at home? We reached out to grocery experts and snacking pros to break down the pistachio butter craze and even tried our hand at making some ourselves.Related: I Tried Shake Shack's New Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, and It's an Absolute 10/10?? SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter?. ?

Pistachio butter is made by grinding pistachios into a thick paste until their natural oils release and transform them into a smooth, spreadable consistency. It’s similar in texture to peanut butter or almond butter, though it's much richer, thanks to pistachios’ naturally sweet, earthy, buttery flavor.According to Melissa Davies, Food Trends and Insights Specialist at Mondelez International, this once-niche product is going mainstream in a big way right now. "We have had our eye on pistachio for a couple of years now," she says. "Globally, pistachios have gone from a special-occasion ingredient or holiday luxury to more of an everyday indulgence. Pistachio’s popularity had already begun to trend upward before Dubai chocolate became a viral sensation in late 2023."Davies adds that it’s the complete package: "As an ingredient, it hits on a few key things that consumers want—it has a cross-cultural appeal, it brings a health halo because it’s high in protein and fiber, and it has that eye-popping green color that makes pistachio-based recipes very photogenic for sharing on Instagram and TikTok. What’s especially interesting is how pistachio has made a transition from 'luxury' to 'everyday' but hasn’t lost its premium appeal, which helps explain why consumers are willing to pay sometimes very high prices for Dubai chocolate.”Related: I Tried the Viral Dubai Strawberry Cup That Broke the Internet, and It’s Just as Delicious as Everyone Says

What’s the Difference Between Pistachio Butter, Pistachio Paste, Pistachio Spread and Pistachio Cream?

If you’ve ever stared down a wall of pistachio products wondering which one to get, you’re not alone. These terms tend to get used interchangeably, but there are some differences. Pistachio butter usually refers to pure ground pistachios with perhaps a tiny bit of salt, along with a splash of oil. This is similar to freshly ground peanut butter. Pistachio butter tends to have a bit of oil added, though, because it's a drier nut.According to Diego Puddu, Product Manager for Eataly, pistachio paste is very similar to pistachio butter, but paste is "thicker and more concentrated, with a higher percentage of ground pistachios. They're often used in baking or cooking where you need a very strong pistachio flavor," he says.Pistachio spread or pistachio cream usually contains a few additional ingredients, such as sugar or milk. "Pistachio spread, or 'spalmabile al pistacchio' in Italian, is a smooth and creamy mixture made from ground pistachios," Puddu explains. "It's similar to a smooth peanut or almond butter, but it has a unique nutty and toasted flavor due to the main ingredient of the spread: raw pistachios." He adds that the terms pistachio spread and pistachio cream are fairly interchangeable, even in Italian terminology: "crema di pistacchio versus spalmabile al pistachio. Both are made from ground pistachios, which may be raw or toasted based on the production technique, and both have a creamy texture.

Related: This 'Excellent' New Treat Has Shoppers Saying, 'We Are Running, Not Walking to Costco'

Think rich, nutty and just a little sweet, with deep roasted notes if the pistachios have been toasted first. "Pistachio spread is the taste of Sicily," says Puddu. "It has a bold and intense nutty flavor, with a velvety and thick consistency." The color ranges from pale sage to vibrant green depending on how the pistachios were processed.Related: We Ranked the 8 Best Natural Peanut Butters

Where Can You Buy Pistachio Butter?

Pistachio butter has gone from a hard-to-find specialty food item to something you can grab almost anywhere. It’s popped up at Walmart, World Market, major grocery stores, specialty grocers and plenty of online shops. Prices range from $5.47 at Walmart to around $20 at Eataly.Related: The Supersmart Peanut Butter Trick You Need to Know About

Getty Images

Making pistachio butter at home is surprisingly easy—and deeply satisfying. I tried my hand at it using a recipe from one of my favorite food bloggers and cookbook authors, Justine Doiron (@justine_snacks).The recipe calls for only two ingredients: 1 cup of roasted salted shelled pistachios and 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Here's the super simple process: Add all the pistachios to a food processor. Process on low until the pistachios are blended into a crumbly, sand-like texture. Once you reach this texture, scrape down the sides and turn the processor on low. A food processor is the way to go here because you have more control than a super powerful blender like a Vitamix.Gradually pour the olive oil into the food processor in a steady stream, pausing to scrape down the sides. Repeat until a smooth, creamy nut butter forms. Transfer to a jar and store in a cool, dry place. It will keep for about 1–2 weeks.The whole thing took me less than 10 minutes to make. Justine’s recipe is simple with only two ingredients and only requires a few whirs of the food processor to come together. Buying pre-shelled pistachios will save you a LOT of time (and sore thumbs), so I highly recommend going that route. (Costco has a megabag of roasted and salted shelled pistachios for about $17.)Related: Here’s What Happens to Your Body if You Eat Peanut Butter Every Day

How To Use Pistachio Butter

Whether you make it yourself or buy it at the store, pistachio butter is incredibly versatile. You can use it like any other nut butter: spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal or yogurt, drizzle it over waffles or pancakes, or fold it into brownie batter for a fancy dessert.

“Pistachio spread is quite versatile," adds Puddu. "You can indulge in it as a snack by dipping your favorite bread as a substitute for jam—perfect for breakfast, or anytime you're craving something tasty. Otherwise, you can use it as an emergency pick-me-up with a spoon, directly in your mouth!”

But his personal favorite is stirring a spoonful of pistachio butter into his coffee.

“You can add a spoonful to an espresso cup before pouring in fresh coffee, and it's a total game-changer. 'Caffè al Pistacchio' is a delicious twist on your regular morning cup,” he says.

Up Next:

Related: The Internet's Going Nuts for Pistachio Crinkle Cake—the Best Phyllo Dough Hack to Happen to Dessert

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What the Heck Is Pistachio Butter and Why Are You Suddenly Seeing It Everywhere? )

Also on site :

• 35 Summer-Ready June Nail Ideas to Brighten Up Your Look
• Three boys and woman die in house fire in north London as man arrested
• Popular Actress, 40, Returns for First Red Carpet Since Husband's Death