What is Pine Nuts (Kunar), Why Is It So Expensive?

Pine nuts are the seeds of the pine nut tree, which are extracted from the cones of the trees called pine nut. Pine nuts, which are a very tasty nut and are among the dried nuts, are also known as pine nuts and kunar. These seeds are edible and have a high nutritional value. This type of nut has been an important food item for humans for thousands of years. Native Americans have been collecting these pine nuts for nearly 10,000 years.

From here, pine nuts spread all over the world years later. Pine nuts are consumed as a well-known type of nut in our country.

Why Are Pine Nuts So Expensive?

With pine nuts getting more and more expensive over the years, people's demand for pine nuts has dropped sharply. Due to this decline, the use of this delicious pine nut, which is frequently used by Turkish people in desserts and meals, is decreasing day by day.

There are two reasons for the increase in the price of pine nuts obtained from the cones grown on pine nut trees. The first reason for the increase in the price of pine nuts is the decrease in pine nut production over the years. Due to the decreasing production, the price of pine nuts, which is less available in the market, is increasing. Drought and climate change, which have worsened over the years, are the main factors causing the decrease in production. No matter how much pine nut trees need water, the climate negatively affects pine nut production.

The second reason is the increase in the production of pine honey, which is also produced from the pine nut tree. According to experts, the more pine honey is produced from the pine nut tree, the less pine nut production is from that tree. The popularity of pine honey is increasing, which negatively affects the production and price of pine nuts.

Where Does the Pine Nut Tree Grow and What Are Its Features?

The pine nut tree, which produces pine nuts, can grow in places with a warm and temperate climate throughout the year, especially in Mediterranean countries. Pine nut trees are also produced intensively in Aydın, Muğla and İzmir provinces in our country. Especially in Aydın's Koçarlı, 50% of the pine nut production in Turkey is made. Festivals are held for pine nuts in the Aegean Region.

The scientific name for these pine nut trees is Pinus gerardiana. It is a type of pine tree, varying in length from 18-25. Pine nut tree starts to produce within 4-5 years after it is planted as a sapling, but the tree starts to contribute to its owner economically after 8-9 years of age. The most productive period of the pine nut tree is reached after the age of 20.

How to Grow Pine Nuts?

To grow pine nuts, first of all, the regions where the pine nut tree can produce the most efficiently should be selected. In places where the warm and temperate climate of the Mediterranean is observed, there is an opportunity to produce the most efficient pine nuts.

The pine nut tree is generally easy to grow and low maintenance. Since it can reach its most productive time years after planting, pine nut tree owners can obtain economic efficiency from these trees for almost a lifetime.

This tree species needs very little water except in the planting and beginning stages. For this reason, it can grow in arid soils where there is not much water. The most fertile soil for the pine nut tree is the soil that does not hold water and has a sandy structure.

The Place of Pine Nuts in Turkish Cuisine

Pine nuts decorate a few of the traditional flavors found in Turkish cuisine. By making the food it is in more delicious, it provides that food to be differentiated. Pine nuts add extraordinary flavors to Turkish cuisine by changing the taste of familiar tastes both with its appearance and its aroma.

Among the most well-known flavors that pine nuts add color to are: Palace pilaf, lamb stuffing, chicken wrap, and stuffed turkey.

On the other hand, it can be used abundantly in the stuffing of stuffed varieties such as stuffed leaves with olive oil, stuffed cabbage, stuffed eggplant. Pine nuts are among the indispensable ingredients in semolina halva, which is another famous flavor that everyone knows.