Kaal (Early-Harvest Green Kernel)
Also sold as: green kernel · unripe kernel · boz iç (Turkey)
Harvested deliberately unripe. The kernel has not yet turned yellow, so it keeps a deeper natural green — and because it comes off the tree early, aflatoxin risk is structurally lower.
Kaal kernel is also the raw material for green peeled kernel — the white inner skin is removed by double peeling to expose the full green colour.
Specification
| Product | |
| Product group | Shelled pistachio kernel, early-picked, skin on |
|---|---|
| Harvest timing | Picked before full ripeness — late August to early September |
| Skin colour | Pale pink to light purple, thinner than ripe kernel |
| Kernel colour | Deep green — noticeably greener than regular kernel |
| Texture | Softer and denser than ripe kernel |
| Grades | Whole kernel · splits |
| Flavour | Raw, more intensely ‘green’ than ripe kernel |
| Origin | Iran (Kerman) or Turkey (Gaziantep) — declared per lot |
| Food safety | |
| Moisture | ≤ 5% |
| Aflatoxin B1 | ≤ 8 µg/kg |
| Aflatoxin, total | ≤ 10 µg/kg |
| Aflatoxin risk | Structurally low — early harvest means less field exposure |
| Foreign matter | ≤ 0.1% |
| Testing | Aflatoxin by HPLC, per lot, accredited laboratory |
| Packing & logistics | |
| Bulk packing | 10 kg cartons with inner vacuum poly bag · 25 kg cartons |
| Smallest pack | 1 kg vacuum — we do not supply below 1 kg |
| Shelf life | 12 months in original unopened packing |
| Storage | 0–10 °C, relative humidity below 65%, no direct sunlight |
| HS code | 0802.52 — pistachios, shelled |
| Loading | approx. 18–20 t per 40 ft container |
| Order sizes | Samples from 1 kg · trial lots from 25 kg · FCL 18–20 t |
| Incoterms | EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF — on agreement |
Values are our standard commercial specification. Tighter tolerances can be agreed for a specific programme and are confirmed in writing before the first shipment. Aflatoxin limits follow the EU maximum levels for nuts intended for direct human consumption.
What it is
Kaal means unripe. Picking early sacrifices weight — the kernel has not finished filling out — in exchange for colour and flavour intensity. Turkish processors sell the same product as boz iç, and it is the kernel behind traditional baklava. That trade is worth making wherever the green has to be visible in the finished product.
What it means for your order
There is a second, less obvious advantage. Aflatoxin contamination in pistachios is largely a field problem that develops as the hull splits and the nut sits on the tree. Harvesting early shortens that window, which is why Kaal kernel consistently tests lower than fully ripe product from the same orchard.
Who Buys It
Pesto and sauces
The standard pistachio for Italian pistachio pesto.
Charcuterie
Used in mortadella, sausage, and cooked hams.
Pastry
Pistachio cakes, cookies, and filled pastries.
Gelato
Deep colour that survives freezing and mixing.
Is It Right For You?
Straight answer, not a sales pitch. If this is the wrong product for your application, tell us what you are making and we will point you at the right one.
Best for
- Pistachio pesto and savoury sauces
- Mortadella, sausage and cooked hams
- Pastry and gelato that must look green
Not the right choice for
- Buyers optimising on price per kilo
- Applications where colour is irrelevant
- Maximum kernel weight — early picking costs yield
Packing Formats
Vacuum-sealed inner bag in a carton — standard format, and the one we recommend.
Carton, alternative fill for pallet optimisation.
Smallest pack we supply, under your own label.
Every shipment travels with a lot-specific aflatoxin analysis. Certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, and Halal documentation are issued on request.
Need a full specification sheet?
We send a written spec sheet with agreed tolerances, packing details, and the documentation that travels with each shipment.
Nutrition, per 100 g
Typical values for raw pistachio kernel. Exact figures vary by variety, season, and growing region; a lot-specific analysis is available on request.
| Energy | 560 kcal / 2 343 kJ |
| Fat | 45.3 g |
| — of which saturates | 5.9 g |
| — of which monounsaturated | 23.3 g |
| Carbohydrate | 27.2 g |
| — of which sugars | 7.7 g |
| Fibre | 10.6 g |
| Protein | 20.2 g |
| Salt | < 0.01 g |
| Potassium | 1 025 mg |
| Phosphorus | 490 mg |
| Magnesium | 121 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.7 mg |
| Vitamin E | 2.3 mg |
Request a Quote — Kaal (Early-Harvest Green Kernel)
Tell us the size or grade, the quantity, and the packing format you need. We reply with pricing, availability, and lead time.
Samples are available before you commit to a commercial order.
We work exclusively with pistachios — no other nuts, no distractions.