Pistachios pop open as they mature. The shell usually splits along a ridge, making opening the shell very simple. Sometimes you find shells that have split open only a little or worse, not at all.

Cake is a delicious dessert but it can be loaded with calories. The flavor, type, method of preparation and whether its iced or contains a filling all factor in to the calorie content of a piece of cake.

Cadbury Roses are individually wrapped chocolate morsels consisting of 39 percent milk chocolate and 10 percent dark chocolate, according to Cadbury. The chocolates are flavored in the center with a variety of creams.

Cashews are actually seeds found on the bottom of a fruit called a cashew apple, which is native to northern Brazil. Because cashews are seeds, some people who are allergic to nuts are able to tolerate them.

Orbit is a brand of sugar-free chewing gum manufactured by the Wrigley Co. Unlike other gums, it is packaged in cardboard boxes inserted with 14 individually wrapped pieces of gum per package. The name "Orbit" is derived from the name of the sugar alcohol (sorbitol) that sweetens the gum.

Raisins and almonds have been the favorite foods of many throughout history. Both are nutritious foods that can be stored for long periods of time and are easily transported -- attributes that would have made them valuable in ancient times.

The tamarind is a fruit native to tropical Africa, but grows throughout Asia, the Middle East, East Indies and Pacific Islands. Cooks use the fruit in a number of different ways, including as a seasoning for rice, fish and meat, and as chutneys, curries and sauces.

Over the years, pumpkin pie desserts have crowned many a holiday table. If you lead a busy lifestyle, purchasing a pre-cooked pumpkin pie dessert can be a real time-saver. Costco is a wholesale retailing outfit with stores worldwide.

Monkey nuts is a term sometimes used to describe peanuts, which are a high-fat, calorie-dense snack. Although peanuts are high in calories, they can be a good snack choice because peanuts are small, portable and do not require refrigeration.

Since 2005, researchers from Harvard University have shown that men, both healthy and those who have suffered a heart attack, reduced their cardiovascular risk by eating nuts regularly. By replacing less healthy snacks with nuts rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats and fiber lowers cholesterol.

Sunflower seeds are native to North America, and since the Native Americans discovered that sunflower seeds make a nutritious and portable food, they have been a popular snack.

Butternut squash has many health-promoting features and a long storage life. It is an excellent source of vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. Its seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats and zinc, making a satisfying snack. Butternut squash is a nutrient-dense food, providing much nutrition in few calories.