Pistachio nuts, whose Indian name means “laughing nuts,” are the fruit of the long-lived pistachio tree, which grows up to 10 m tall. The plant originates from the borderlands of Central Asia and Asia Minor, where it has been known for at least 2,000 years. In natural conditions, it grows mainly at high altitudes in Syria, Palestine, Persia, Iran, and Afghanistan, and the fruits of wild trees are an important source of food for nomads wandering these areas. Although the outer shell of the fruit is fleshy, only the green seed inside the shell is edible. In ripe fruits, the shell usually cracks, making it easier to extract the appetizing nut.