Why Pistachios Are Great: Pistachios are happy. They are called “the smiling nut” in Iran and “the happy nut” in China. People in the Middle East sometimes refer to the pistachio as the “smiling pistachio.” In those same countries, if you are sitting under a Pistachio tree and you hear the shells snapping open, it is a sign of good luck.

Also, pistachios aren’t actually nuts. It’s true! Pistachio “nuts” are actually seeds of red or yellow plum-like fruits whose flesh is removed during processing. However, everyone calls them a nut because they look like “nuts” and are in the cashew family. Other things in the cashew family include sumac, mangos, and poison ivy.

Pistachios are full of nutrients that help prevent heart disease, lower your cholesterol, and help stop cell damage in your body. That’s one hearty nut seed.