Sicily’s Emerald Green Gem: the Bronte Pistachio (Published 2017) (2024)

FAQs

Is Bronte Sicily worth visiting? ›

In addition to its culinary and natural attractions, Bronte has a rich history, with evidence of settlements dating back to prehistoric times. The town boasts several historic buildings, including the Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata and Castello Nelson, built by the British admiral Horatio Nelson.

Bronte means “thunder” and is the name of one of the Cyclopes who forged the lightning of Zeus in the forges of Hephaestus under Etna. The grotta di Bronte is one of the caves where dwarf elephants used to go to die during the period they inhabited Sicily and tusks from this time have been discovered here.

The Bronte Pistachio is a pistachio variety that grows only in the Bronte area. This product has the DOP certification and its production is regulated and controlled. The color is bright green (it is called "green gold") and its taste is refined.

The Bronte Pistachio

Fresh or dried, the pistachio is one of the most precious ingredients of Sicilian cuisine and is also the symbol of the city of Bronte, in the province of Catania, and its economy, so much so that for its value this fruit has earned the nickname "green gold".

Bronte in Sicily

Bronte is essentially rural city renown for the pistachio nuts. Bronte's territory is the only place in Italy where this precious nut is cultivated; it was imported by the Arabs in the 9th century.

Unlike other more notoriously expensive destinations in Italy, like the Amalfi Coast or Lake Como, Sicily has the advantages of size and variety. It's easy to find inexpensive meals, off-the-beaten-path accommodation, and even affordable public transportation to get around without racking up the bill at the gas pump.

Bronte is a gender-neutral name of Gaelic and Greek origins. Perfect for both boys and girls, it means "bestower" or "thunder." It would be impossible to mention Bronte without referencing the three literary sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.

Bronte is the name of a place in Sicily literally meaning 'thunder'. Nelson generally signed himself Nelson and Brontë.

"Lightning"]; Βροντή ["Brontē", lit. "Thunder"]) are, in Greek mythology, the goddesses of lightning and thunder. As members of Zeus' entourage, they were his shield bearers, given the task of carrying his thunderbolts along with Pegasus.

Harvested on the east coast of Sicily in the town of Bronte grown on the mineral-rich slopes of Mt. Etna, as the eruptions from the still active volcano create a topsoil dense in mineral-rich lava stone which acts as a natural fertiliser, our pistachios are truly nurtured by the land.

What is the most expensive pistachio? ›

The green pistachio of Bronte DOP is the most valuable and famous variety of pistachio in the world.

Iran has some deserts which are the perfect places for growing pistachios according to the dry and hot weather. Persian pistachios are considered the best pistachios in the world and it is known as a luxury product in some countries like Japan and Germany.

One reason that could explain why the Italian staple pistachios are so incredibly popular is that their sweet, delicate, and oily taste is excellent and perfect as a flavouring for sauces, sweets, pastries, and gelato. Arguably, many fruits and nuts have the same purpose, so why are pistachios so special?

Sicily is also the land of tropical fruit. If we think of the fruits grown in Sicily, we do not immediately think of tropical fruit, but of citrus fruits! Oranges, lemons, grapefruits and mandarins steal the scene from Sicilian mangoes, papayas, avocados and bananas.

With its moniker as the “Capital of Pistachio”, the extraordinarily lush town of Bronte is built into the western slopes of Mount Etna and falls within Sicily's first established natural park, Parco dell'Etna, and Parco dei Nebrodi, the largest protected area in Sicily.

While Sicily is full of beauty everywhere you look, you'll find many of its best treasures in the eastern part of the island. The east is home to active volcanoes, ancient ruins, Baroque cities, and gorgeous beaches, not to mention fabulous food and world-famous wine.

Taormina is a world-renowned premier resort town, and the most expensive destination in Sicily, but with many lodging and restaurant options, and excursions. There are surely inexpensive lodging options in Siracusa/Orgia, and expensive as well, but Siracusa isn't a beach destination.