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Here are today’s five things to know about Pistachio:

Pistachio nuts are a member of the cashew family and are closely related to mangos, sumac, and even poison ivy.

Iran produces more pistachios than any other country in the world with over 200k tons per year.

In Asia they are often referred to as ‘green almonds & the ‘happy nut’. In Iran they are called the ‘smiling nut.’

Male pistachio trees are alternate bearing, meaning they produce heavier crops every other year.

All pistachio shells are naturally beige in color. Many companies dye inferior nuts red or green.

Today’s Food History

• 1852 John Harvey Kellogg was born. A health food pioneer, developed the first breakfast cereals for his patients, Granose (flaked wheat) and toasted corn flakes.

• 1857 Emile Coue was born. A French pharmacist, he was an advocate of autosuggestion. He suggested repeating the following sentence 15 to 20 times in the morning and evening: “Every day, and in every way, I am becoming better and better.” It is said that 20% claim it works.

• 1895 Michael Joseph Owens patented an automatic glass blowing machine that could make multiple bottles at the same time. A big advance in bottle making, spurring the mass sale of beer, alcohol and sodas.

• 1903 RIP Richard Jordan Gatling, inventor of the Gatling Gun.  He also developed machines for sowing rice, wheat, and other grains, and the steam plow.

• 1928 Fats Domino (Antoine Domino) was born in New Orleans. One of rock-and-roll’s earliest stars, one of his early hits was ‘Blueberry Hill’ in 1956.

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