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I have discovered what may be the best flavored pistachios on the planet.

They were sent to me by my pal Uncle Flakey. He buys them at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market in that hotbed of communism, but there is an interesting story behind them.

Ahmad Dalvi is owner of Happy Nuts Farm of Sacramento, and according to my pal he always has the freshest, best tasting almonds and pistachios. While he provides raw and unsalted versions of each, his most popular offerings are flavored pistachios: jalapeno, garlic and onion, mesquite roast, lime-chile, and salsa. Dalvi doesn’t use any pesticides and all his nuts are certified organic. (Berkeley? . . . certified organic nuts? . . . oh nevermind.)

The absolute killer flavor is curry roast. It’s the most difficult to concoct according to Dalvi. For instance, he has to import fermented tofu powder from China. (Miso is a fermented tofu substitute; the real thing is made from tofu buried in the ground in big clay pots until it ferments and is then dried to make the powder.)

But this being Berzerkeley they weren’t always called curry roast; Dalvi, being the international man that he is, originally called them “Oriental Roast.” However, he received so many complaints—never mind that it’s not considered a ethnic slur anywhere but the U.S.—that he changed the name. Oy. 

Let me be clear: these pistachios are truly addictive, meth like addictive. Uncle Flakey also sent me a sample of Dalvi’s fresh salted and roasted pistachios, outstanding. I had to fight my daughters off just to save a few for Lisa. I’m trying to figure out how I will get my next curry roast hit. It got a little unseemly what with me licking the inside of the bag.

Happy Nuts Farms does not have a Web site, but if you’re willing to make arrangement with Dalvi for payment by phone, he’ll package as much up as you want in half-pound or pound bags with labels. These make great Christmas gifts. They are not cheap—running about $12 a pound—but having tasted them, they are well worth it. I’ve paid a lot more for a lot less let me tell you.

All of the Berkeley Farmer’s Market vendors are listed here, According to my West Coast correspondent, much of the farmer’s goods are priced higher than if they were bought in a store, but he also recommends (for the price) Bariani Olive Oil and the chocolate- and yogurt-covered raisins from Schmidt Farm.