Why Pine Nuts Are So Expensive | So Expensive

Pine nuts have long been desired for their unique flavor, use in traditional recipes, and health benefits. They're also one of the most expensive nuts in the world, selling for upwards of $117 per kilogram. So what makes them so special? And why are they so expensive?

MORE SO EXPENSIVE VIDEOS:
Why Japanese Calligraphy Brushes Are So Expensive | So Expensive
Why Japanese Ruby Roman Grapes Are So Expensive | So Expensive
Why Hasselblad Cameras Are So Expensive | So Expensive

------------------------------------------------------

#PineNuts #SoExpensive #BusinessInsider

Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more.

Why Pine Nuts Are So Expensive | So Expensive

[lvmnoneofyourbusiness]

When I was living in Flagstaff, Arizona, I had a Navajo friend/"auntie" that would take me to the reservation and we'd go Pinon pine nut gathering.
The women would put a tarp under the Pinon pine and then shake the tree. The nuts would fall out of the pine cones onto the tarp and we'd gather them up.
Then we'd take them to a "gathering" place, wash them, put them in a 50 gallon drum of water.
Whatever nuts floated to the top were bad and skimmed off.
After that, they went into another 50 gallon drum of salt water and would soak from 1-3 days.
We'd let them air dry and then roast them in a drum over an open fire.
These nuts were no bigger than the size of a pinky nail but they were good!

[Waldohasaskit]

I was hiking once when I got nailed in the head by a pine cone. I thought it was a crazy bad luck until another pine cone fell next to me and then another and another. A squirrel was up in this tall tree just knocking pine cones down at random hikers. They should just hire squirrels to harvest the pine cones.

[umaikakudo]

Professional arborist here: The climbers could easily eliminate almost all risk by using affordable and common harness and rope designed for tree climbing arborists and loggers. They not only speed up climbing and decent, they also allow you to use pole tools more efficiently and reduce physical strain and injury. Something is fishy about the companies complaining about high insurance costs. They are just trying to save a couple hundred dollars per climber in gear which saves lives, reduces injury, lowers insurance claims, and increases productivity. It's penny wise pound foolish and shows a deep disregard for the wellbeing of the workers. Other countries industry regulators in the US and EU require this equipment while it isn't regulated nor widely uses in countries like India.

[mercster]

"It's actually flat if you don't look down." Wise words.

[ETamJP]

Good article. I like to eat pine nuts and had wondered why some are so expensive, but others are not. So long as the workers are paid based on their efforts and the dangers, I’m okay with that. No one is forcing me to buy after all. Almonds and pistachios are cheaper, but their farming is terrible. Water usage for these nuts is a lot.

[coolworx]

2:17 "It's actually flat, if you don't look down"
After harvesting, they use this guys humor to dry the pine nuts.

[ter]

i cultivate them in NY. My grandpa started some in the 60's on our farm as an ornamental tree fence like row. They are good in cookies also

[vivianscircle]

We pick similar nuts like these ourselves when we go to the forest in Greece. We put them by the fire to open them slowly and then we take the seeds out. Very tasty. I was amazed to see how expensive they are in the USA!

[snivanov]

I live in Middle Ural and you can buy locally collected siberian pine nuts in shell for as little as 200 rubles (about $3) per 1l jar. Cones go cheaper.Hand thrashing tool and de-shelling mill is not that difficult to make, although thrasing and shelling takes time and creates a lot of waste. Shells (or whole nut with seed) could be used to infuse alcohol and together with chaga, dried wild berries and herbs and honey you can make pretty amazing bewerage. If you have oil press or melager you can make delicious slald oil and urbech (very finely milled nut paste).

[evan]

For the first time I think ever on this show, the laborers seemed to actually get paid a decent wage. Usually it's like "The workers will exchange their 4 bags at 130 pounds a piece for around 6, 000 yaberan, or little less than 7 U.S. dollars"

[jamesdooling]

I had no idea... I eat these lightly toasted and salted by the handful when I come back from the store with them about 3 times a year -- around holidays as ingredients. Next time, I will be more reverent. ❤

[kaushiktlk]

The same 2 reasons for "why so expensive": it's rare and a lot of manual effort is involved.

[hritikjuyal]

I had no idea that these cones have seeds in them, that are edible. Whenever i use to visit my mom's village in Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand, India, me and my sister use to play with those cones or paint them. The majority trees in the surrounding area of the village is pine.

[stephanieyee]

This was a really interesting and informative video. I love pine nuts and, like most people, have sometimes wondered why they are so expensive. And now I know. From the get-go when the harvesters start climbing the trees to the end of the threshing its clear its a difficult commodity to produce.
Thank you.

[diegowiii]

Here in Brazil, we have a different kind of pine nut, it's from the Araucária tree, we call it "Pinhão". It's very common in the southern region, people traditionaly gather it from the trees and roast them on fire, it's very delicious! 😋 And it's also used in many recipes like "Farofa de Pinhão", it is like a savoury crumble, i just simply love it! 😍 And it's cheap! here in my city I pay about R$ 9, 00 for a kilo, wich is about 1, 5 dollars!

[entvisual]

*I agree expensive* and healthy I remember my grandpa telling me how they Siberian pine / Siberian Cedar nuts in Russia 🇷🇺🇷🇺🌰patience, and good timing needed for *perfect harvest!!*

[azngettoone]

i have always wanted to know why pine nuts were so hardcore expensive. i go to safeway and it costs a horse and a goat.

[annorawal]

Pine trees literally cover my village, looks like I'll need to start picking them

[marioseoul]

so interesting and coincidental, yesterday i went grocery shopping outside Seoul and the total was over $100 (in Korean won of course). i expected $80 or so, so i asked the cashier what made it so expensive. it was the 280 gram jar of pine nuts! oops. good to know the hard work that goes into it, i'll appreciate it even more.

[Roarpian]

Very impressive - providing insights of the enormous effort goes behind food that is so accessible