The Pistachio and the Pistachio of Aegina

The tradition of pistachio and pistachio cultivation in Aegina has been carried out for 120 years, since its introduction to the island. The preservation and promotion of this traditional knowledge is of particular importance for the collective memory and modern identity of Aegina.

Aegina is the place of production of the unique Aegina Pistachio, which stands out for its quality, aroma and taste. The history of organized pistachio cultivation in Aegina begins at the end of the 19th century and it is the first place in Greece where pistachios were systematically cultivated. The first pistachio plantation was established in 1896 by Nikolaos Peroglou, who brought the nuts from Syria. In Aegina, the technique of processing the dry fruit and the production of seedlings for the propagation of the tree were developed. Mainly for these reasons, the fruit was called “Aegina pistachio” throughout Greece, while the variety of pistachio grown in Greece was called “Aegina” or “Aeginitis”.

The combination of several factors, such as the dry and temperate climate, the proximity of the sea with its low relative humidity, and the semi-arid cultivation on the limestone soils of the island, give the Aegina pistachio the special organoleptic characteristics that give it its excellent taste and have made it famous all over the world.

Today, 3,500 hectares of land are cultivated on the island with 120,000 pistachio trees that produce the famous Aegina Pistachio. The Agricultural Cooperative of Peanut Producers of Aegina was founded in 1947 and has been operating continuously until today, with 347 members. It collects, processes and markets on their behalf 30% of the production of Aegina pistachios.

The Aegina Pistachio Festival is the largest established annual festival in Aegina, dedicated to the island’s famous product, the Aegina Pistachio, which stands out for its quality and taste. The heart of the festival is the fair: More than 40 exhibitors, along the pier, from September 17 to 20, display products of Aegina pistachio, its derivatives and delicacies, as well as a range of other products produced in Aegina. Among them are agricultural products, handmade ceramics, jewelry, embroidery, delicacies.

The tradition has been registered in the National Index of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece.