Kings Food City, safe and large supplier of dried fruits, nuts & foods

7Jan, 2024

A Joyful Blend of Taste and Decoration with Nuts and Dried Fruits in Holiday Celebrations

Holiday Flavors: Nuts and Dried Fruits

How can we better capture the essence of the holiday season than by integrating the innate beauty and robust tastes of nuts and dried fruits into our festivities? These delightful and adaptable components not only enhance the flavor of our celebratory meals but also double as delightful adornments that bring to mind the coziness and nostalgia of this enchanting season.

Delicious Nuts

Nuts have been enjoyed as a traditional holiday indulgence for many years. Whether roasted, spiced, or candied, they provide a delightful crunch that complements the richness of other holiday foods. Consider adding roasted almonds and raw peanuts to your salads for an extra touch of festivity.

A Wide Variety of Dried Fruits

Dried berries, raisins, apricots, and dried figs add vibrant color and sweetness to your holiday meals. Try adding them to your stuffing, couscous, or rice dishes for a delightful and unexpected flavor.

Reviving the Fruitcake Tradition

Fruitcakes, commonly the target of jokes, should be given another chance. A well-prepared fruitcake, packed with a variety of dried fruits and nuts, can serve as a delightful focal point for your holiday table.

Nuts and Dried Fruits as Decorative Ornaments

Garlands and Wreaths

Make beautiful wreaths and garlands by using dried fruits such as dried figs and dried apricots, along with fragrant spices. Hang them in your home to fill the air with a festive and inviting scent.

Centerpieces Featuring Nuts

Place a variety of nuts in their shells in glass vases or bowls to create a charming and rustic centerpiece. For an enchanting effect, incorporate LED string lights.

Edible Decorations

Create edible decorations by threading dried fruits and nuts onto twine. If you celebrate Christmas, hang them on your tree for a distinctive and environmentally friendly ornament that your guests can also enjoy.

Creations Suitable for Gifting

Make custom gift baskets with a variety of nuts and dried fruits. These thoughtful and tasty presents are great for spreading holiday cheer.

Advantages and Health Benefits

In addition to being delicious and visually appealing, nuts and dried fruits provide numerous health benefits. They are rich in essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, serving as a healthier option compared to traditional holiday snacks and desserts. By including them in your holiday menu, you can ensure that your family enjoys both tasty and nutritious treats. This holiday season, prioritize the natural beauty and flavors of nuts and dried fruits in your celebrations. These versatile ingredients will not only enhance your culinary creations but also add a rustic elegance to your home, making your festivities both delicious and visually captivating. Embrace the wholesome goodness and charm of nuts and dried fruits this holiday season to create lasting memories.

4Jan, 2024

Do You Know Differences Kinds of Pistachios?

Pistachios from Different Aspects

Pistachios are a highly sought-after nut worldwide, known as "Green Gold" to Persian people due to their rich flavor and cultural significance. They are also referred to as the "Happy Nuts" or "Smiling Nuts". Different types of pistachios are found globally, typically categorized by their place of origin, with variations in color, flavor, size, harvesting period, and qualities. In Persia, there are over 70 different female pistachio cultivars and genotypes, as well as numerous male genotypes. Persian pistachio producers offer a diverse selection of handpicked premium pistachios, boasting a wide range of options to meet various customer preferences and requirements.

The well-known varieties of pistachios in Persia include Kalleh Ghoochi, Akbari, Ahmad Aghaei, and Fandoghi. You can examine our pistachio nuts from these perspectives. As a result, you will discover a diverse selection of options to find the type that best suits your preferences.

Appearance of Pistachio

Persian pistachios can be categorized based on their appearance into two groups: hazelnut-shaped and almond-shaped. There are two types of Persian pistachios that fall into the hazelnut-shaped category and three types that belong to the almond-shaped category.

Hazelnut-Shaped Pistachios

Fandoughi Pistachio

Fandoghi pistachio, also known as round pistachio, is a well-known variety of pistachios cultivated in Persia. It accounts for 55 to 60 percent of the pistachio trees in the region. Its name is derived from its small, hazelnut-like shape. If you are someone who prefers to purchase pistachios in large quantities at a lower cost, Fandooghi pistachio is an excellent choice due to its larger size and weight, making it more affordable. This is why Fandoughi pistachio is highly sought-after in the pistachio market. Fandoughi pistachio has a pale cream-colored shell and a purple kernel skin. While most pistachio kernels are green, Fandooghi variety turns a vibrant red when fully ripe. Their round shape makes them ideal for adorning a variety of pistachio-based pastries.

Kalleh Ghouchi Pistachio

Kaleh Ghoochi pistachio, also known as jumbo pistachio, is a highly regarded variety of pistachio cultivated in Persia. It is considered one of the best and most expensive types of pistachios, and is a popular choice for both domestic and international markets. Its large size is its most distinctive feature, making it in high demand and more costly than other pistachio varieties. With its round appearance and the largest kernel among different cultivars, Kaleh Ghouchi pistachio is often considered the largest and heaviest pistachio in the world. Its appearance is similar to Fandoughi pistachio, but it is larger and heavier. The fresh pistachio skin is reddish-brown and cracks when ripe, while the kernel is spherical with a greenish-gray skin and a dark bone-white shell. This luxurious nut is highly in great demand and is often used for export due to its premium quality.

Almond-Shaped Pistachios

Akbari Pistachio

Akbari pistachio, also known as super long pistachio, is considered one of the most premium pistachio varieties in Persia and globally. Exclusive to Persia, this pistachio is characterized by its elongated and well-formed shape, as well as its large and lengthy kernel, which enhances the visual appeal of the nuts. The quality and freshness of nuts are typically determined by factors such as size, appearance, and taste, all of which Akbari pistachio possesses. As a result, it is in high demand. Additionally, the limited annual yield of Akbari pistachio trees results in a scarcity of this variety, leading to higher prices and limited availability in the market. This pistachio type has garnered a strong customer base not only in the Middle East but also worldwide. Pistachio experts attribute its global popularity to its easy-to-peel nature and luxurious appearance. When properly roasted, hand-picked fresh Akbari pistachios offer a crunchy and delicious taste, contributing to their widespread appeal. Their easy-peel nature eliminates the need for extra effort during consumption.

Ahmad Aghaei Pistachio

Ahmad Aghaei pistachio (long pistachio) is a variety of elongated pistachio that is renowned for its exceptional flavor and global popularity, resulting in high sales annually. Its light-colored skin sets it apart from other pistachio varieties, contributing to its widespread appeal. This type of pistachio is well-known not only in Persia but also in foreign countries, with Persia being the primary source of Ahmad Aghaei pistachios. Its outstanding taste and attractive appearance make it a preferred choice for celebrations and ceremonies among Persian people. Additionally, it is highly sought after in East Asia, particularly in India and China, and is easily identifiable by its elongated shape. Ahmad Aghaei pistachio has the most open shell compared to other pistachio types, and its outer shell turns bright red when ripe, while the inner shell of the kernels is also red, with the exterior shell color being bone white.

Badami Pistachio

One of the most delicious and valuable types of Persian pistachios is Badami pistachio, also known as the white pistachio. It belongs to the category of semi long pistachios along with Akbari and Ahmad Aghaei pistachios, and has a relatively elongated appearance resembling almonds, which is how it got its name. Despite being small and having a low ounce, Badami pistachio is popular for export due to its reasonable price compared to other varieties. Its kernel is red and the soft outer skin is green, turning red when ripe. Badami pistachio is resistant to salinity and aridity, and has high fruiting.

Flavor of Pistachios

You may have heard that Persian pistachios are the finest in the world. But what makes them exceptional and delectable? One of the reasons is their elevated fat content. Additionally, they are grown under ideal conditions in Persia, where the pistachio orchards are situated at high altitudes between 800 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The temperature differences between day and night, along with high humidity and air pressure, contribute to the perfect environment for growing pistachios. Although the United States has taken over as the leading producer of pistachios, Persian pistachios remain unparalleled in terms of flavor worldwide. This advantage in taste allows them to maintain their position as the best and premium pistachios in the global market.

Processing of Pistachio

Pistachio nut can be processed in various ways, resulting in different forms of pistachio products. This processing involves separating the layers of skin from pistachio, washing, and sorting, which is typically done at a facility known as a pistachio processing terminal. These terminals are commonly found in cities that produce large quantities of pistachios.

Traditional Processing

The majority of the tasks involved in processing pistachios are carried out by workers, with the exception of the skinning process which may be automated. This approach is not very efficient and can be both time-consuming and expensive.

Semi-Automated Processing

Mechanical methods are used for peeling, cleaning, and preparing pistachios. Then, the pistachios are dehydrated and dried in the sun at the pistachio terminal.

Automated Processing

This approach involves using machines to carry out all stages of pistachio processing, including peeling, cleaning, and preparation. Additionally, the drying process is mechanized, eliminating the need for sunlight.

Intelligent Automated Processing

This is the most efficient and speedy method, where machines handle every step of pistachio processing, including peeling, cleaning, and preparation. Moreover, the pistachio sorter segregates open-shelled and closed-shell pistachios, while defects such as insect-damaged, moldy, decayed, shriveled, broken, and foreign materials are mechanically removed.

Pistachio Harvesting Time

In the upcoming categorization, pistachio varieties are categorized into three groups based on flowering time (early flowering, medium, and late flowering) and five classifications based on fruit ripening.

Extremely early: harvesting period until the end of August
Early: harvesting period from the beginning of September until the 10th
Moderate: harvesting from the 11th until the 20th of September
Late: harvesting tıme from the 21st until the end of September
Extremely late: harvesting period from the 1st until the 10th of October

For instance, Kaleh Ghouchi is classified as an early bloomer, Ahmad Aghaei variety falls into the mid-blooming category, and Akbari type is categorized as a late bloomer. In the late blooming category, flowering begins on April 21st and ends on April 26th, lasting for 11 days. On the other hand, the early blooming group starts flowering on April 10th and reaches full bloom on April 16th, with a flowering period of 13 days.

Naturally Opened Shell Pistachio

When fully mature, pistachio kernels reach their maximum size and naturally split open, making them easy to peel using a low-temperature method. This variety can yield up to a 55-60 % kernel to shell ratio.

Mechanically Opened Shell Pistachio

Certain pistachio processors employ machinery to mechanically crack open the pistachio shells before they are fully mature. Consequently, the resulting kernels may be smaller in size compared to natural ones, as they are not fully ripe enough to naturally split open the shells.

24Dec, 2023

What is Differences Between Currants and Raisins and Sultanas?

Currants vs. Raisins and Sultanas

Raisins, sultanas, and currants are various kinds of dried grapes, but distinguishing between them can be perplexing, especially in the case of raisins and sultanas due to differing definitions in different regions. In the US, both raisins and sultanas are referred to as "raisins," with sultanas being labeled as "golden" raisins. However, internationally, raisins and sultanas are distinguished by grape type and processing method. Additionally, the term "currant" can also refer to berries from the gooseberry family. To prevent confusion, we use the international definitions for raisins and sultanas.

Raisins

Raisins are dried grapes that undergo a drying process for approximately three weeks. The darkening of the grapes during drying is what gives raisins their characteristic dark brown color. Different types of grape varieties are utilized in the production of raisins, leading to variations in size, taste, and color. In the United States, raisins are commonly produced from the Thompson seedless grape variety. Conversely, in Australia, raisins are exclusively made from larger grape varieties such as Muscat, Lexia, and Waltham Cross, resulting in larger-sized raisins compared to sultanas. Raisins are known for their dark color, soft texture, sweet flavor, and typically larger size when compared to sultanas and currants.

Sultanas

Sultanas are produced from green seedless grapes, specifically the Thompson Seedless variety. In contrast to raisins, sultanas are usually coated in an oil-based solution before drying to expedite the process. As a result, they are often lighter in color compared to raisins and currants. In Australia, some sultanas are made without the drying solution, leading to a longer drying time of up to three weeks and resulting in a dark brown color. These are commonly known as "natural" sultanas. In the United States, sultanas are referred to as "golden raisins" or "sultana raisins." These grapes are treated with sulfur dioxide, a preservative that maintains the lighter color of the grape. Sultanas are generally smaller than raisins and have a sweeter, juicier, and lighter color than both raisins and currants.

Currants

Real currants are a type of small berries that come from the Ribes family of flowering shrubs. They thrive in northern climates with warm summers and cold winters, and are best when allowed to ripen on the plant. They have been grown in Europe for a long time, and are common in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and various parts of North America. Currants come in different colors, ranging from dark purple to ruby red to almost white. Dried black currants resemble Zante currants but are smaller and have a rich berry taste. Zante currants are produced by drying small, seedless grapes known as "Black Corinth" and "Carina." The drying process typically takes up to three weeks. Their petite size gives them a sweet, tangy, and concentrated taste, making them a versatile addition to both sweet and savory recipes, providing texture and sweetness.

16Dec, 2023

Classifications and Growth Stages of Date Fruit

Five Growth Stages of a Date Fruit

The categorization of date fruits is a multifaceted process that takes into consideration their physical attributes such as shape, size, and color, all of which can undergo substantial changes as the fruits progress through their stages of maturity. These factors play a crucial role in assessing the overall quality of the dates. Date fruits typically undergo five distinct stages of development before they reach the point of ripeness. Each stage brings about discernible changes in the physical properties and flavor profile of the fruit. These stages are often denoted by different names, a practice that is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the country of origin.

Hababouk Stage

The initial phase of fruit development following fertilization lasts for approximately four to five weeks, during which time the fruit remains unripe. It is entirely enveloped by the calyx, with only one end of the ovary visible, and its weight does not surpass 1 gram.

Kimri Stage

It is alternatively referred to as the green phase, recognized as the most prolonged period in the maturation of date fruits. This stage typically spans from nine to fourteen weeks, with the duration varying depending on the specific type of date. During this phase, the fruit progresses to a solid green state, remaining inedible. The average weight of the date fruit during the Kimri stage is around 6 grams.

Khalal Stage

During the Khalal stage, the fruit's color shifts from green to either yellow or red, contingent upon the date variety. At this juncture, the nutritional composition of the fruit is approximately 2.7% protein, 0.3% fat, and 2.8% ash. Numerous date varieties are suitable for consumption during this phase.

Rutab Stage

This phase is also known as the soft ripe stage, lasting from two to four weeks, during which the upper part of the fruit starts to ripen, resulting in a soft texture, and the color begins to shift to brown or black, contingent upon the variety. Due to reduced moisture content, the fruit's weight decreases. The sugar content increases, leading to a sweet taste, making it the suitable stage for harvesting and storage.

Tamr Stage

It represents the phase of complete or ultimate ripeness. The date fruits reach full maturity, displaying a black or brown color. Dry dates have a hard texture, while Rutab dates are soft. The fruits experience significant moisture loss, resulting in ongoing low weight and safeguarding against spoilage or fermentation. The sucrose content in semi-dry and dry dates is approximately 50%.