pistachio

American  

[pi-stash-ee-oh, -stah-shee-oh] / pɪˈstæʃ iˌoʊ, -ˈstɑ ʃiˌoʊ /

Also pistache

noun

plural

pistachios

1. the nut of a Eurasian tree, Pistacia vera, of the cashew family, containing an edible, greenish kernel.

2. the kernel itself, used for flavoring.

3. the tree itself.

4. pistachio nut flavor.

5. pistachio green.

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pistachio British  

/ pɪˈstɑːʃɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. an anacardiaceous tree, Pistacia vera, of the Mediterranean region and W Asia, with small hard-shelled nuts

2. Also called: pistachio nut.  the nut of this tree, having an edible green kernel

3. the sweet flavour of the pistachio nut, used esp in ice creams

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adjective

1. of a yellowish-green colour

Etymology

Origin of pistachio

1375–1425; < Italian pistacchio < Latin pistācium < Greek pistákion pistachio nut, diminutive of pistákē pistachio tree < Middle Persian *pistak ( Persian pista ); replacing late Middle English pistace < Middle French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Pistachio cold foam now perches atop iced coffees from nationwide chains, Dubai chocolate knock-offs sit at every grocery checkout stand and boutique patisseries fill croissants with pistachio butters and creams.

From Salon • May 6, 2026

Pistachio shells, peanut shells can clog a boat’s intake, he says, take down the whole thing.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2023

Spencer notes Oregon-based ice creamery Salt & Straw for “combos like Pistachio with Saffron, and Hibiscus and Coconut.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 13, 2023

I first came upon this conclusion when I made the Pistachio Bundt Cake from Christina Tosi's cookbook All About Cake.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2023

Pistachio nuts give flavor and color to ice-cream, icings, and bonbons.

From The Century Cook Book by Ronald, Mary