Jacob's sons carried pistachio nuts to Egypt. The tree was one peculiar to Syria and one of its governors, named Lucius Vitellius, first introduced it into Europe during the reign of Tiberius. Since that time, it has spread over the shores of the Mediterranean as far west as Spain. It is common in the Middle East. Today the hills in the south of Italy have pistachio orchards. It can grow to a height of 20-30 feet. The bark of the trunk is russet and the branches are a lighter brown. The gray-green leaves are winged. The leaves, when bruised, smell like the fruit. From the branches grow close clusters of flowers. When these flowers wither, the nuts form. These are oval shaped and have a double shell. The outer shell is thin, dry and red. The inner kernel is a pale green color and has a very agreeable oily, sweet taste. These are often eaten as a confection.
Genesis 43:11 (KJV) And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so
now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry
down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh,
nuts, and almonds:
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