Pinon nuts and pine nuts are a widely available but lesser known variety of nut. Surprisingly, those who know them tend to think that pine nuts and pinon nuts are the same. This is true to some degree, but there are some subtle differences. In this post we’ll be dissecting the differences between pinon nuts vs pine nuts.
Truth be told, although both pinon nuts and pine nuts are similar, they have very distinct differences.
First, pinon nuts are much smaller than pine nuts. Pinon nuts also have a harder shell than pine nuts, and they are not as widely available as pine nuts.
But perhaps the main difference is in their taste. The mild flavor of the pinon nut is far superior to that of pine nuts which makes it a favorite for many people.
Even though pinon nuts and pine nuts are not the same, they do have similarities. They both contribute essential nutrients to a diet and may be consumed similarly. Pinon nuts and pine nuts are delicious food that many cultures have eaten for centuries. They can both be added to salads, pasta, and rice dishes. They’re also often used as a garnish for other foods, or they can both be eaten as a snack, too.
In this article, we will look at everything you need to know about pinon nuts and pine nuts, compare their nutritional content, how they can be consumed, and much more.
Let’s get started.
What Are Pinon Nuts?
Pinon nuts are edible seeds from a lesser common member of the pine family called piñons. The pinon tree (pinus edulis) is a shorter variety of the pine family that grows in the warm climates of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Colorado.
Pinon nuts are very small, about 0.5 inches long, and teardrop-shaped. They grow best during cool, wet years, and mid-summer is usually a prime time for pinon nut harvest.
They are usually light brown or tan in color, but some have a reddish tinge. Pinion nuts are usually very oily but crunchy when eaten. Due to the extensive labor time and labor involved in its harvest, pinon nuts have a hefty price tag than pine nuts.
What Are Pine Nuts?
Pine nuts are seeds that come from pine trees (pinus pinea). Pine nuts are about an inch long, shaped like a teardrop, and are usually light brown or pale yellow-white in color.
Humans have consumed pine nuts for centuries due to their rich taste and dense nutritional value. They are rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E.
They have a rich, delicate, buttery flavor and a crisp texture. This unique flavor is derived from its high oil content, making them a perfect addition to pestos, bread, pasta, salad, desserts, and much more! They add a nutty taste and crunchy texture to foods.
Pine nuts can be eaten raw, but their rich undertone flavor can be genuinely enjoyed when roasted.
What Are the Differences Between Pinon Nuts VS Pine Nuts?
There are several differences between pinon nuts and pine nuts, such as the way they look, their taste, their cost, and how they’re consumed. Here are some of the differences:
Size
One of the first things you’ll notice about pinon nuts vs pine nuts is their size difference.
Pine nuts are about an inch long, and pinon nuts are 0.5-0.75 inches, hence much smaller.
Despite pinon nuts being smaller in size, they have a harder shell than pine nuts, making them more difficult to remove during harvesting.
This makes pinon nuts more labor-intensive to harvest, hence their steep market price.
Taste
Another difference between pinon nuts vs pine nuts is the taste difference.
Pinon nuts have a mild, nutty flavor, whereas pine nuts have a slightly bitter and buttery flavor.
As a result, pinon nuts go well with sweet dishes, whereas pine nuts go well with savory dishes.
Availability
Typically, pine nuts are much more readily available than pinon nuts. This can be attributed to the difficulty of harvesting pinon nuts, the extensive labor involved in the process, and the demand for pinon nuts as a specialty item due to their unique taste and texture.
Cost
The cost of pinon nuts is higher than pine nuts. Pinon nuts are a specialty food due to their limited growing range and limited availability.
A pound of pinon nuts can range from $20–$50 USD, whereas a pound of pine nuts is usually around $20 USD.
How Pine Nuts and Pinon Nuts Are Typically Consumed
Pinon nuts and pine nuts have been consumed in different cultures for centuries due to their unique taste, texture, and nutritional value.
Pinon nuts can be found in many Hispanic dishes, whereas pine nuts are used in Mediterranean cooking.
They both go well with pasta, bread, pesto, salads, vegetables, and desserts. They are also often used as a garnish for other foods or as a nutritious snack, whether raw or roasted. At times, pinon nut oil can be used as an alternative to butter in baking recipes to its rich flavor.
- Pinon Nuts: A popular use for pinon nuts is in pestos. They can also be ground into flour or used to make pinon butter. Pinon nuts are also popular when married with sweet potatoes, maple syrup, chocolate, and fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries).
- Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are most commonly used in pesto dishes or simply eaten out of the shell. They are also used for salads and desserts like baklava.
Pinon Nuts Vs Pine Nuts: Nutritional Comparison
The nutritional content of a pinon nuts vs pine nuts varies due to the different growing conditions and harvesting techniques. However, both offer similar health benefits.
Both contain high levels of monounsaturated fats, which help lower heart disease risk, decrease cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar levels, and increase antioxidant absorption.
Pine nuts and pinon nuts provide a good source of vitamin E, which is beneficial to eye health and acts as an antioxidant.
Both pine nuts and pinon nuts contain omega-6 fatty acids that help regulate blood sugar levels, blood pressure levels, and inflammation.
Pinion nuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help with strengthening the immune system and brain function.
It should be noted that there are some differences in the nutritional content of pinon nuts vs pine nuts:
- Pinon Nuts: Pinon nuts provide more vitamins and minerals than pine nuts, including iron, magnesium, and potassium. It is also an exceptionally good source of thiamin.
- Pine Nuts: Pine nuts contain a higher concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which makes them a better source of omega-3 fatty acids than pinon nuts.
If you are wondering which is healthier, out of pinon nuts and pine nuts, the answer depends on personal preference.
Because both provide almost similar health benefits due to their nutritional content, rich flavors, and unique texture, they are both good sources of monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. Both are also good sources of iron, magnesium, fiber, vitamin B1, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese.
Conclusion
Pinon nuts and pine nuts are similar in their nutritional content, unique tastes and flavors, and health benefits.
As is the case with pine nut oil, the decision between which is healthier out of pinon nuts vs pine nuts comes down to personal preference due to their similar nutritional content and health benefits.