Oh man californian fruit is so bad. All I can get here because of the sanctions (which affect everyone even outside the US) are either “Israeli” or US dates and pistachios (usually the latter for pistachios). But if you’ve ever had Iranian pistachios and any other dates, including even UAE dates, the difference is night and day. US pistachios have no flavor and the dates have a weird gritty texture when it should be completely smooth. Iran wants to sell its dates, we just can’t import them because daddy US decides everything.
From a fellow Californian, I suggest looking for an Arabic or Muslim supermarket as they usually have the better brands for things like pistachios, dates, and hummus (if you don’t make the last on your own). Our market’s often also have a lot of good sweets that don’t get sold in most stores.
Oh man californian fruit is so bad. All I can get here because of the sanctions (which affect everyone even outside the US) are either “Israeli” or US dates and pistachios (usually the latter for pistachios). But if you’ve ever had Iranian pistachios and any other dates, including even UAE dates, the difference is night and day. US pistachios have no flavor and the dates have a weird gritty texture when it should be completely smooth. Iran wants to sell its dates, we just can’t import them because daddy US decides everything.
From a fellow Californian, I suggest looking for an Arabic or Muslim supermarket as they usually have the better brands for things like pistachios, dates, and hummus (if you don’t make the last on your own). Our market’s often also have a lot of good sweets that don’t get sold in most stores.