Where to get lebanese pine nuts that don't cost an arm 'n' a leg?

[BamiaWruz]

I was at Arz today and this teeny package cost about 6.99. Where can I get the lebanese variety for a better deal? I couldn't justify buying it for that price.

Any suggestions for stores in the GTA are welcome. I know pine nuts can be expensive, but is my quest to find a descenet priced package impossible?

[AverageJo]

I was at Whole Foods today; they were selling pine nuts from Iran: $19.95/lb (!) Not exactly cheap, but at least they weren't from China.

I'm assuming that Iranian pine nuts are the same variety as Lebanese; please correct me if I'm wrong.

[pikawicca]

I don't know anything about a Iranian pine nuts, but 20 dollars a pound is a steal.

[pikawicca]

www.buylebanese.com This is where I get mine, as well as excellent tahini and grape leaves.

[Kagemusha]

Most of this is on offer around the GTA. Mail order from Lebanon for tahini?

[pikawicca]

There's tahini, and then there's tahini. Give it a try and you'll never buy the stuff off the store shelf again.

[thenextdish]

In the past when looking for BULK PINE NUTS we found them at COSTCO,and the 1Kg size bag has a ZIP Lock seal to keep them fresh.
Not sure if they were of the Lebanese variety you seek.
Try NUTSONLINE.com for a wide selection of PINE NUTS from the Mediterranian to India, to North America.
NUTSONLINE.com couriers orders to Canada.
Hope that helps.

[Kagemusha]

Agreed, the Costco pine nuts--along with most other nut varieties they stock--are fresh and priced right. Suspect your "Lebanese" variety will slip into the "arm ' leg" range quickly. Costco's work for me--just not always available.

[BamiaWruz]

Costco price sounds good, but unfortunately they're the Chinese variety and others have mentioned them being bitter. I've never had such an experience with the variety so I wouldn't hesitate to substitute if I am unable to find the Mediterranean kind.

[Kagemusha]

The trick to freshness with nuts is turnover--whatever the origin. I bought some Lebanese pine nuts a few years back from a Lebanese grocer that were bloody stale. They refunded me happily but advised buying from Costco for freshness. According to them, most makers of Lebanese sweets used them for price and quality.

[jayt90]

Costco's came from California when I bought them last year. I'll take a look next time I'm there.

[jayt90]

Chinese now.

[Kagemusha]

Bulk Barn?

[BamiaWruz]

I've tried, that's where I used to get them however they are the chinese variety, so they look like this.

http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/cpinola.jpg

The lebanese look like this:
http://www.tasteofbeirut.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_5938.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll...

thanks for your reply!

[Vinnie Vidimangi]

What's the difference?