PINE KERNELS
 

Pine kernels are edible seeds produced by some types of pine, first of all, the one known as per its scientific  name Pinus pinea ("umbrella pine", from the family of conifers).
It's a tree that reaches 30 meters in height, with unusually broad and flat hair above a tall and bare trunk, and its radial branches  are similar to umbrella rods.
Pine kernels are inserted between the scales of the cones produced by pine trees and they are surrounded by a solid shell called "strobilus" that protects them. 
The cones are large, heavy and globular and they usually mature in three years time.
The collection of cones for the production of pine kernels is made during the  period between October and April, then they are kept  in piles and left to dry on the first rays of the spring sun until scales shed the pine kernels. Then, pine kernels are deprived of their protective shells, cleaned, dried and put up for sale after a careful selection.

HISTORY 
Pine kernels are highly nutritious and rich in protein and they have always been considered a noble and genuine food which is narrated in mythology as the fruit loved by Bacchus. 
From the western basin of the Mediterranean, the pine has spread in the East founding their ideal habitat in many parts of Italy, but his real origins are shrouded in mystery: some researchers trace the pine on Quaternary time.
In any case, the cultivation of pine had great expansion during the Roman Empire, and probably even earlier, during the Etruscan period. 

This fruit was worshiped for its elegant beauty, not even to mention the importance that the pine tree has ever had on the production of timber and on the harvest of its resin. The pine kernel is a symbol of power, evoking the immortality that gods attributed to it because of its intrinsic characteristics. 
In the history, were found evidence of pine use even in the distant Japan: where its wood was used to build Shinto temples.
Today it is a delicious fruit to enjoy and to be used in various food preparations.
Pine kernels are known and cultivated in all parts of the world where they take advantage from the different qualities of pine. Most of the pine kernels on the market come from China, which quality  is much lower than the Italian one.
In Italy the production is concentrated in Lazio and Tuscany where are produced the best and most famous ones: Pisa pine kernels.



PROPERTIES


Pine kernels are a real food supplement to be used especially when  the energy level of the body is down, and their consumption is recommended  for those undergoing exhausting hours of study or intense physical stress caused by sports activities.
Some substances contained into pine kernels have antioxidant properties which have consequent beneficial effects on the health of cells and  especially of the skin. Thanks to their properties, pine kernels are also recommended during the growth phase and pregnancy.


DID YOU KNOW?

Romans attributed pine kernels to Bacchus, the god of vegetation  and fertility, while in Japan the fruit appeared first in wedding  ceremonies, representing the constancy of conjugal love and the perpetuity of mankind. Perhaps not everyone knows that, since ancient times, the pine kernels are considered to be powerful aphrodisiacs. 
Galen in the second century AD, recommended men to drink a glass of honey with 20 almonds and 100 pine kernels before going to bed. Interesting words have also been written by Pliny about it: "The pine kernels take thirst away, soo the heartburn and win the weakness of manly parties".
Ovid praised as well its aphrodisiac properties, that why in his work "Ars amatoria" described the pine kernels as one of the few foods able to foster love.
Pine kernels are definitely a food always considered very valuable and we should take into consideration that to get a pound of pine kernels, takes an average of thirty pounds of pine cones and pine cones take three years to mature.

FUGAR 100% PURE PINE KERNELS
Only one ingredient: chosen pine kernels!
The strict policy of supplier selection, procurement and acceptance testing of raw materials such as highly restrictive quality requirements of size, humidity, lack of cimiciato, taste and color, are the base  of to the success of Fugar 100% Pure Pine Kernels.
The pine kernel, once passed acceptance tests, is then subjected to a process of slow roasting at controlled temperatures and refining with the ongoing monitoring of physical and organoleptic predetermined  parameters carried out on each batch.

For each invoice Fugar attach the Specifications in which it is remarked "the absence of milk or dairy" and "gluten-free".

The range also includes the following pine kernels based references:
Cremino of Kernel - smooth
Pinolata - cream with whole pine kernels
Whole Pind Kernels - 100% chosen pine kernels.

AWARDS
 Fugar 100% Pure Pine Kernels and Pine Kernels  Cremino have been awarded with Gold Medal from the Academy  Master Italian Confectioners (AMPI) during their symposiums.



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