The world's finest nut spreads, from Sicilian pistachio to US peanut

The world's most prized nut butters are defined by their raw ingredients: Bronte DOP pistachio, Tonda Gentile delle Langhe hazelnut, Styrian pumpkin seed, Ethiopian sesame from Humera and American peanut. Prices range from €10 to €110 per kilo.

There is a product that sells for the price of caviar and contains not a drop of fish. It is pistachio cream. Specifically, the kind made in **Bronte**, on the slopes of Mount **Etna**, with pistachios grown in lava soil and harvested by hand. A 190-gram jar costs around **18 to 22 euros**, which works out at between **90 and 110 euros per kilo**. This is no boutique whim: the protected designation of origin covers a nut that is only picked in odd-numbered years, to let the tree rest. That alternation explains part of the price, and also the persistence of the flavour, distinctly resinous and saline.

## Bronte pistachio: the nut that rests one year in two

The production process is so artisanal it borders on the liturgical. After shelling, the pistachios undergo a very light roast, without salt, so as not to evaporate the volatile oils. They are then ground cold to an ultrafine micron size. The result is a deep emerald-green paste with golden flecks, which come from the nut's thin violet skin. Among the brands working with this product, **Don Tanu** and **AromaSicilia** stand out, both artisanal producers in Bronte itself.

The nutritional profile backs it up: rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. But price should not be confused with health. Pistachio cream is a food dense in calories and fat, and its consumption should fit within a balanced diet. If in doubt, the sensible thing is to consult a nutrition professional.

## Piedmont hazelnut: the Tonda Gentile delle Langhe

If pistachio is Sicilian luxury, the hazelnut is Piedmontese elegance. The **Tonda Gentile delle Langhe** variety, protected with a PGI designation, is considered the finest hazelnut in the world. It is roasted at a precisely controlled temperature to caramelise its natural sugars without making the nut bitter, and is processed immediately in stone mills to prevent oxidation. The result is an extremely fluid, silky texture with an unmistakable aroma of toffee, butter and baked nuts.

The price is lower than pistachio: between **45 and 60 euros per kilo**, with small 200-gram formats for around **10 to 13 euros**. Among the brands specialising in high-end pastry ingredients are **Pariani** and **Cortese**. Nutritionally, it stands out for its high content of oleic acid (omega-9) and vitamin E.

## Styrian pumpkin seed and Humera sesame: two nutritional powerhouses

Excellence in pumpkin seed cream belongs to the **Styrian pumpkin**, from Austria, protected by the European Union with a geographical indication. Its seeds naturally lack a hard woody shell, which makes processing easier. They are washed, dried and roasted over beechwood before being ground into a dense paste of a dark bottle-green colour, almost opaque. The flavour is intensely roasted, herbal and slightly bitter. It costs between **30 and 40 euros per kilo**. Among the benchmark brands are **Hamlitsch**, winner of the **Gault&Millau** gourmet award, and **Schalk Mühle**. It is a nutritional powerhouse: high levels of zinc, magnesium, plant protein (around 30%) and essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Ethiopian sesame tahini originates in the **Humera** region, in Tigray. Western premium brands import the pure single-origin seed and process it in state-of-the-art facilities. White seeds prized for their natural sweetness are selected, soaked, mechanically hulled, dried, lightly roasted at low temperature and ground repeatedly until achieving a liquid emulsion that barely separates in the jar. Price: between **20 and 28 euros per kilo**, with 450-gram containers for around **9 to 12 euros**. Brands such as **Soom Foods** and **Seed + Mill** work with this profile. Its consistency is thin and unctuous, without the astringent bitterness of industrial sesames, and it is a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, niacin and antioxidant lignans.

## American peanut: the most affordable and purest option

Unlike mass-market brands loaded with palm oils and hydrogenated fats, premium peanut butters are made under the "Clean Label" rule: peanuts only, or peanuts and sea salt. Varieties grown in dry areas of the United States, with a lower risk of aflatoxins, are used; they are cleaned, dry-roasted over a low heat and ground immediately. The price is the most accessible of the group: between **10 and 18 euros per kilo**. **Crazy Richard's**, with Runner and Valencia peanuts, and **Georgia Grinders** are two of the benchmark brands.

The naturally liquid texture with oil separating on the surface is the unmistakable proof of its purity. Deep flavour of roasted peanuts with natural sweet notes. It provides plant protein, healthy fats, vitamin E and resveratrol. That said, being cheaper does not make it a light food. It is still a dense plant fat, and moderation in the serving matters more than the brand.