Pistachios in the Shell Grades and Standards

Grades of Pistachio Nuts in the Shell 

  1. U.S. Fancy, U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1, and U.S. Select consists of pistachio nuts in the shell which meet the following requirements: 
    1. Basic requirements:
      1. Free from:
        1. Foreign material;
        2. Loose kernels;
        3. Shell pieces;
        4. Particles and dust; and,
        5. Blanks.
    2. Shells:
      1. Free from:
        1. Non-split shells; and, 
        2. Shells not split on suture.
      2. Free from damage by:
        1. Adhering hull material;
        2. Light stained;
        3. Dark stained; and,
        4. Other External (shell) defects.
    3. Kernels:
      1. Well dried, or, very well dried when specified in connection with the grade.
      2. Free from damage by:
        1. Immature kernels;
        2. Kernel spotting; and,
        3. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
      3. Free from serious damage by:
        1. Minor insect or vertebrate injury;
        2. Insect damage;
        3. Mold;
        4. Rancidity;
        5. Decay; and,
        6. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
    4. The nuts are of a size not less than 30/64 inch in diameter as measured by a round hole screen.
    5. For tolerances, see §51.2544.
  2. U.S. Artificially Opened consists of artificially opened pistachio nuts in the shell which meet the following requirements:
    1. Basic Requirements:
      1. Free from:
        1. Foreign material;
        2. Loose kernels;
        3. Shell pieces;
        4. Particles and dust; and,
        5. Blanks.
    2. Shells:
      1. Free from:
        1. Non-split shells; and,
        2. Shells not split on suture.
      2. Free from damage by:
        1. Adhering hull material;
        2. Light stained;
        3. Dark stained; and,
        4. Other External (shell) defects.
    3. Kernels;
      1. Well dried, or, very well dried when specified in connection with the grade;
      2. Free from damage by:
        1. Immature kernels;
        2. Kernel spotting; and,
        3. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
      3. Free from serious damage by:
        1. Minor insect or vertebrate injury;
        2. Insect damage;
        3. Mold;
        4. Rancidity;
        5. Decay; and,
        6. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
    4. The nuts are of a size not less than 30/64 inch in diameter as measured by a round hole screen.
    5. For Tolerances, see §51.2544.
  3. U.S. Non-Split consists of non-split pistachio nuts in the shell which meet the following requirements:
    1. Basic requirements:
      1. Free from:
        1. Foreign material;
        2. Loose kernels;
        3. Shell pieces;
        4. Particles and dust; and,
        5. Blanks.
    2. Shells:
      1. Free from damage by:
        1. Adhering hull material; and,
        2. Dark stain.
    3. Kernels:
      1. Well dried, or very well dried when specified in connection with the grade.
      2. Free from damage by:
        1. Immature kernels;
        2. Kernel spotting; and,
        3. Other internal (kernel) defects.
      3. Free from serious damage by:
        1. Minor insect or vertebrate injury;
        2. Insect damage;
        3. Mold;
        4. Rancidity;
        5. Decay; and,
        6. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
    4. The nuts are of a size not less than 30/64 inch in diameter as measured by a round hole screen.
    5. For Tolerances, see §51.2544.

Inspection Aids

  • Visual Aid PIS-CC-1, Pistachio Color Comparator for maximum Brown Color allowed for light staining on pistachios
  • See How to Purchase Inspection Aids for more details

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: