Grades of Pistachio Nuts in the Shell
- 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:
a. Basic requirements:
1. Free from:
i. Foreign material;
ii. Loose kernels;
iii. Shell pieces;
iv. Particles and dust; and,
v. Blanks.
b. Shells:
1. Free from:
i. Non-split shells; and,
ii. Shells not split on suture.
2. Free from damage by:
i. Adhering hull material;
ii. Light stained;
iii. Dark stained; and,
iv. Other External (shell) defects.
c. Kernels:
1. Well dried, or, very well dried when specified in connection with the grade.
2. Free from damage by:
i. Immature kernels;
ii. Kernel spotting; and,
iii. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
3. Free from serious damage by:
i. Minor insect or vertebrate injury;
ii. Insect damage;
iii. Mold;
iv. Rancidity;
v. Decay; and,
vi. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
d. The nuts are of a size not less than 30/64 inch in diameter as measured by a round hole screen.
e. For tolerances, see §51.2544.
- U.S. Artificially Opened consists of artificially opened pistachio nuts in the shell which meet the following requirements:
a. Basic Requirements:
1. Free from:
i. Foreign material;
ii. Loose kernels;
iii. Shell pieces;
iv. Particles and dust; and,
v. Blanks.
b. Shells:
1. Free from:
i. Non-split shells; and,
ii. Shells not split on suture.
2. Free from damage by:
i. Adhering hull material;
ii. Light stained;
iii. Dark stained; and,
iv. Other External (shell) defects.
c. Kernels;
1. Well dried, or, very well dried when specified in connection with the grade;
2. Free from damage by:
i. Immature kernels;
ii. Kernel spotting; and,
iii. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
3. Free from serious damage by:
i. Minor insect or vertebrate injury;
ii. Insect damage;
iii. Mold;
iv. Rancidity;
v. Decay; and,
vi. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
d. The nuts are of a size not less than 30/64 inch in diameter as measured by a round hole screen.
e. For Tolerances, see §51.2544.
- U.S. Non-Split consists of non-split pistachio nuts in the shell which meet the following requirements:
a. Basic requirements:
1. Free from:
i. Foreign material;
ii. Loose kernels;
iii. Shell pieces;
iv. Particles and dust; and,
v. Blanks.
b. Shells:
1. Free from damage by:
i. Adhering hull material; and,
ii. Dark stain.
c. Kernels:
1. Well dried, or very well dried when specified in connection with the grade.
2. Free from damage by:
i. Immature kernels;
ii. Kernel spotting; and,
iii. Other internal (kernel) defects.
3. Free from serious damage by:
i. Minor insect or vertebrate injury;
ii. Insect damage;
iii. Mold;
iv. Rancidity;
v. Decay; and,
vi. Other Internal (kernel) defects.
d. The nuts are of a size not less than 30/64 inch in diameter as measured by a round hole screen.
e. For Tolerances, see §51.2544.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: