Following the introduction of the pili nut in Europe in 2024 by Pili Pi Nuts, this exotic nut has made remarkable progress over the past year. "The buttery pili nut is now available in several supermarket chains and nut shops in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Denmark," says Ties Minnen of producer Pili Pi Nuts. "In addition, we've received unexpected interest from a completely different sector: as food for parrots."
"The pili nut stands out for its unique flavor and texture, giving it a special place in the nut world. People are often surprised by its delicate, buttery taste and smooth texture," says Ties. One of their customers in Italy, Di Nunzio—one of the country's oldest nut merchants with 75 years of experience—emphasized, according to Ties, that the introduction of a new nut like this has been long overdue.
"The pili nut grows on wild trees, often more than 100 years old, in the volcanic regions of the Philippines. This natural environment contributes to the nut's distinctive flavor profile. Moreover, the pili nut is the only nut that contains almost no carbohydrates and is rich in minerals, making it particularly popular among athletes and people following keto, paleo, or vegan diets."
Interestingly, there has also been unexpected interest from the pet food sector. "That was quite 
surprising," laughs Ties. "Without any promotion, we suddenly received numerous requests from parrot traders and owners across Europe. These birds are often very valuable and sometimes even eat better than the average human. The pili nut, with its high fat and mineral content, turns out to be very suitable as parrot food. Plus, the birds have to work to crack open the nut, which provides both mental and physical stimulation."
"We offer the pili nut in-shell, including a cracker, as well as shelled kernels," explains Ties. "Our current focus is on premium markets in Italy, Switzerland, and Scandinavia, where nut lovers are willing to pay for quality. We expect the market for the pili nut to continue expanding across Europe by 2025."
For more information:
Ties Minnen
Pili Pi Nuts
Ruysdaelhof 2
5642 JM Eindhoven
info@pilipinuts.com
www.pilipinuts.com