Lentil & Toasted Pine Nut Salad

Why Are Pine Nuts So Pricey?

If you've ever cringed at the price of a small bag pine nuts, you’re not alone. So, why are these buttery little gems so pricey?

First, they come from pine trees—specifically, the cones. But not just any pine tree will do—including the ones in my backyard. Darn!

Only a few varieties produce edible pine nuts, and these trees take years, sometimes decades, to mature and start producing.

Then there’s the harvesting. Getting pine nuts out of their cones isn’t as simple as shaking a tree. 

The cones have to be collected, dried and then manually cracked open to extract the seeds. After that, the seeds themselves have to be shelled, which is another labor-intensive process.

And demand? It’s through the roof. From pesto lovers to salad enthusiasts, pine nuts are a favorite in kitchens everywhere, which only drives up the price.

So, yes, they’re expensive, but their rich, nutty flavor and delicate texture make them worth the splurge—especially when toasted, like in my Lentil & Toasted Pine Nut Salad. 

And here’s a sob story for you:  I recently spent $11 on a small bag of pine nuts, and while toasting them, my clothes dryer buzzed, so I decided to fold my laundry, forgot about my pine nuts and burnt them to a crisp. 

The moral of the story: Get someone else to fold your laundry!