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You can buy fresh Nevada Soft shell pine nut seeds here at James Liston's Pine Nuts.
We specialize in selling fresh locally grown Nevada soft shell Pine Nuts. (American Pine Nuts)
The Nevada soft shell pine nut is a local seasonal pine nut that is harvested in the fall of each year. These are the freshest pine nuts you will find. We sell them raw and in the shell. We usually only have these pine nuts during the fall and are sold out by December. So be sure to order these when they arrive. Please get on the mailing list to be notified when they are available.
2023 Nevada Soft Shell Update
We will not be selling any pine nuts this year. The harvesters had many issues. Because there is a very limited supply we will just wait this year out and hope for a better year in 2024.
Please get on our mailing list for the 2024 Season.
FAQ Frequently asked questions
What are Pine Nuts?
Pine nuts are the seeds that come out of pine cones. People have been eating them for thousands of years. Or at least as far back in history as we are able to know about. The pine nut was a staple of the American Indians. They would harvest them in the fall and save them to eat through out the year.
How do I crack pine nuts?
The traditional way to crack the pine nut is to use either your fingers to crack the shell, then pull the shell off and eat the seed or gently crack the shell with your teeth, then use your fingers to pull apart the shell and eat it. Its pretty simple. Just don't eat the shell.
Where can I go to harvest my own pine nuts?
The most difficult part about harvesting your own pine nuts is finding a location that has the pine trees. They are usually found in remote areas in the mountains at about 7,000 feet in elevation. Commercial harvesters spend many days/weeks scouting out an area (or areas) that is large enough to supply them with the volume of pine nuts needed to make it profitable. But if you are just looking for a small pocket of trees that you can take your family out to for a camping trip I would suggest calling the local BLM or forest ranger station to see where they recommend. Tell them that you are looking for a place to harvest some pine nuts for personal use. They should at least be able to give you an idea of where you can go look. Every year is different. It takes about 18 months for the pine nut to mature. So if you found a good spot this year it will most likely not be a good place the following year. Also, if you think you are going to save money by harvesting your own pine nuts, think again. Unless you are planning on harvesting pine nuts on a large scale you will probably not make enough money to pay for your gas and supplies. Harvesting pine nuts on your own is purely for the experience and to create memories with.
What is the difference between the Nevada Soft shell type and the NM/AZ Hard Shell Pinon type?
The Nevada Soft shell type, also known as the pinus monophilla, is primarily located in Nevada and around the state lines bordering Nevada. They are larger than the hard shell type and have a softer shell that can easily be cracked by using your fingers or teeth.
The NM/AZ hard shell type, also known as the pinus edulis, is primarily located in the south western USA in New Mexico and Arizona. They are smaller than the Nevada type and have a harder shell that is more difficult to crack.
Many people prefer the taste of which ever one they may have grown up eating. If your not familiar with the difference in taste, it would probably be a good idea to get s sample of each before purchasing a large quantity.
Interesting resources related to Pine Nuts.
Wikpedia Good general description about pine nuts. Worth checking out.
The Embarrassingly Obvious Truth About Where Pine Nuts Come From Good description of where pine nuts come from.
Ehow - How to harvest Pine Nuts Good site telling how to harvest pine nuts.
Interesting Youtube video showing how to harvest pine nuts This isn't how we harvest pine nuts on a commercial scale, but it is still quite informative and useful for people interested on harvesting for persona use.
