Pine nuts. The pine nut is an edible tiny seed that comes from the female pine cone of a pine tree. Although most pine trees produce edible seeds, only 18-20 species produce fruits large enough to be worth harvesting. Most of them live in North America, Europe and Asia, while in Greece we usually import them from Turkey, Spain and China. The process of their production and trade can take from 18 months to 3 years, hence their high market price.
The pine cone as a fruit is usually in the shape of a drop with a beige color, while its texture is relatively soft and buttery. Their taste is sweet.
From micronutrients, pine nuts are rich in magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and vitamin K.
Pine nut has a variety of nutrients, with predominantly its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory good fats, which have been shown to be beneficial in various health conditions.
