Pine nuts...raw?

[KellyL]

The only pine nuts I have seen at my hfs are labeled "pine nuts" not "raw pine nuts". I asked the hfs employee if they were raw and he said yes. I am just curious if they are really raw. I assume they are but I don't know how they are usually processed. Are they like cashews and heated?

[Veganforlife]

They could be. Is there a phone number on the packaging you could call? I've even stood in my HFS and used my cell phone to call companies and ask.
Check this out:

http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/1876007.html

Buying and storing tips
Since pine nuts are often harvested by hand, they are often very expensive. Pine nuts are invariably sold shelled and raw. Since they go rancid quickly, be sure to buy them in stores with a quick turnover rate. Raw pine nuts should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to one month. In the freezer, pine nuts will keep for up to three months.


Were they in the refrigerated section?

[KellyL]

Thank you so much for the link and info!

[youraw]

The pine nuts I have seen were in the bulk section and not refrigerated...I didn't buy them because I wasnt sure...it would appear they are not raw:(

[Stina]

Can you taste the rancidity? Is it obvious? Anyone else like that strangely porky flavor?

[KellyL]

Mine didn't taste rancid so I used them. I am going to ask the hfs next time just out of curiosity.

[JulesRules]

you will know if they are rancid by the taste...

[exurb]

my understanding is that they're usually raw.

However, the country of origin is usually CHINA. If that matters to you, check their origin.

[KellyL]

My goodness, does everything have to come from china?! I know it is cheaper but at what true cost.

[exurb]

Kelly, thanks for your post.

You said at what cost, here is an example. In the area I live, all the apple orchards are going out of business. In addition to low prices in general, one of the reasons is that our apple juice we sell in stores is mostly from concentrate made in China. (and because it's canned here it can appear to be a local product) That has driven the apple price for juice down to 3 cents per pound here. DDT is still legal in China, in some areas, I saw a documentary where they bag each apple on the tree because just the toxins from the air would render them inedible if tested.

Now I am also seeing fresh apples from China in our stores, when there are apple trees less than a mile from the grocery store.

I tasted an "off" taste in my pine nuts from Costco, then I looked more carefully, they were from China. Tried to get some from Trader Joe's, also from China, as were the sunflower seeds I looked at there. Then when I looked into it, it is difficult to get pine nuts that aren't from China.

I ordered a bag of certified organic buckwheat, and it was from China.