Product Category

Pine Kernels

Category: Nuts

Pine Kernels have a delicate flavour. They make a delicious snack or they may be added to salads and exotic foods. Pine Kernels are often recommended for nausea during pregnancy.

More Info

Pine kernels, also known as pine seeds, pine nuts or pignoli, are seeds rather than nuts. Found in the cones of several species of pine trees on the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, the small, ivory-coloured pine kernel has been a popular culinary favourite from ancient times. Today, its popularity is even more widespread, and modern science is revealing more and more of its health benefits and its value in the treatment and prevention of conditions such as arteriosclerosis and heart disease, impaired nervous systems, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, asthma, anemia, fatigue and gallstones, and to help ensure healthy muscles, teeth, bones and lungs and a strong immune system. Add to these benefits a low amount of saturated fat, low sodium, zero cholesterol and significant amounts of fibre, and you have an energy food that is both nutritious and healthy.

Pine kernels are very popular for flavouring or garnishing various sweet and savoury dishes, including meat, fish, vegetable and rice dishes, sauces, salads, desserts, cakes, biscuits, chocolates and pralines. They are an important ingredient in Italian pesto sauce.

Description and Origin

Pine kernels, also known as pine seeds, pine nuts or pignoli, are seeds rather than nuts and are harvested from the large cones of various pine trees after the resin has been extracted. Although the pine is very common in Europe and North America, pine kernels are most commonly produced and consumed in the Mediterranean basin in countries like Spain, Italy and Portugal. Other major producers are Africa, India, China, Mexico, the United States and Turkey. Pine kernels are also becoming increasingly popular as part of health diets around the world. The small, ivory-colored kernels, once a favourite among the ancient Greeks and Romans, have a delicate, nutty flavor similar to that of almonds.

Nutritional Content of Pine Kernels

A breakdown of the major nutrients found in 100 grams of pine kernels is as follows:

Nutritional Info (per 100g)
Calories	570 Kcal
Protein	24 g
Carbohydrates	14 g
Fibre	4 g
Fat	51 g
Saturated Fat	8 g
Mono-Unsaturated Fat	19 g
Polu-Unsaturated Fat	21 g
Cholesterol	0
Vitamin E	3.5 mg
Phytosterols	3.5 mg

The pine kernel is also a rich source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, with a fair supply of potassium and zinc as well as small amounts of calcium, manganese and selenium. It also contains the B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine and folic acid, and the antioxidant vitamins E and A.

Health Benefits of Pine Kernels

The protein in pine kernels is obviously of the healthier, vegetable variety. It has a high arginine content and can therefore help to prevent arteriosclerosis.

While the fat content may seem high, the unhealthy saturated fats form a very small part of the total fats. Most of the fats are of the healthy, unsaturated kind, with poly-unsaturated fats predominating – the poly-unsaturated fats are the ones that help to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They also improve the functioning of the nervous system.

Pine kernels supply a variety of important minerals. One of the major ones is iron, which is important for menstruating women and good for energy. An iron deficiency is associated with anemia, gallstones, fatigue and insomnia. There is also magnesium, which is good for smooth muscle function and healthy bones and nerves, and reduces the risk of diabetes. Phosphorus makes the metabolism of energy more efficient, and copper helps to ensure healthy blood vessels, bones and joints. It also aids iron utilization, thus helping to prevent iron-deficiency anemia.

Because it contains reasonable amounts of potassium and zinc, the pine kernel may contribute towards good kidney functioning, smooth functioning of the heart and other muscles, and the strengthening of the immune system.

Present in smaller but no less important amounts are calcium for healthy muscles, teeth and bones, manganese to aid calcium absorption and help prevent osteoporosis, and selenium, an antioxidant that protects the lungs from free radicals, makes the work of vitamins C and E in the body more effective, and may help prevent asthma.

The B vitamins generally are responsible for combating high blood pressure, lowering LDL cholesterol, helping to ensure good brain and nervous system function and preventing birth defects, and pine kernels contain most of the B’s – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine and folic acid.

Antioxidant vitamin E is an immune system booster that combats damage inflicted on healthy cells by free radicals and thus helps prevent various diseases. Vitamin A, another antioxidant, helps ensure good eyesight and boosts the immune system.

Combine these nutrients with a low amount of saturated fat, low sodium, zero cholesterol and significant amounts of fibre, and you have an energy food that is both nutritious and healthy.

Uses of Pine Kernels

Pine kernels are very popular for flavouring or garnishing various sweet and savoury dishes, including meat, fish, vegetable and rice dishes, sauces, salads, desserts, cakes, biscuits, chocolates and pralines. They are an important ingredient in Italian pesto sauce and they make a most enjoyable snack when eaten just as Nature makes them.

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