Shelled pistachios are expensive, so why are Jello and Royal pistachio pudding mixes so cheap? You can see pieces of nuts in the pudding in pictures on the boxes. The explanation can be found on the back on the ingredient list. What appear to be chopped up pistachios are actually bits of almonds that have been artificially flavored and colored. Jello pistachio pudding mix includes a tiny amount of ground pistachios, but it’s near the bottom of the ingredients list, below salt. Royal pistachio pudding mix contains no pistachios at all. Pudding mix isn’t the only pistachio product made with imitation pistachios. Most pistachio ice cream contains no pistachios. Some people say that I am overly fussy about food, and maybe they’re right, but I will never accept the idea that an almond that has been soaked in a vat of green dye and artificial flavoring can now be called a pistachio.