If you’ve been waiting for an introduction to Pili Hunters, this is it. And if we’ve already met your acquaintance, please take a moment to learn a little more about what we do. You already know we sell pili nuts? But wait! There’s so much more to love, from our ingredients to how we run our business. So, take a chance, and swipe right! You might even find love.
1. Pili Hunters Founder and CEO is a Rad Dude
It all started when Jason Thomas fell in love with pili nuts on a kite-surfing trip to the Philippines in 2015. He brought back pili nuts to the United States that same year with the singular mission to share pili nuts sustainably and ethically. “I’m trying to do the opposite of what everybody else is doing,” says Jason. “I’m trying to keep a business going with my mentality. I think if we stay true, hopefully the stars will align. And if they don’t, I can still look in the mirror.”
Jason grew up in Alaska and graduated with a degree in Outdoor Studies from Alaska Pacific University. His experience as a mountain guide, commercial fisherman, archaeologist assistant, and kite-surfing instructor coupled with his outdoor education fuels Pili Hunters. “I started the company from scratch with no outside funding. I don’t believe in trickery or BS marketing, just hard work, and a good product.”
2. Pili Hunters is the First American Company to Sell Sprouted Pili Nuts in the USA
Jason Thomas arrived back home to the USA with 15lbs of pili nuts and a dream. Since pili nuts were virtually unknown in the United States, he hopped into his pick-up truck and began finding natural food stores and boutique gyms to carry his product. Jason has improved upon pili nut perfection by sprouting them and creating proprietary flavors and blends.
3. Pili Hunters Pili Nuts are Wild
Did you know our pili nuts grow wild? We harvest our pili nuts in the Philippines from centuries-old rainforests tended to by communities who have been doing so for generations. Our founder, Jason, visits each year to help with harvest, and to strengthen relationships.
4. Pili Hunters is Sustainable
The volcanic soil is the only fertilizer pili nut rainforests need, pumping the pili nuts full of natural goodness. No pesticides or fertilizers are used. No monocrop agriculture techniques are utilized. This is as wild as it gets. And we really dig that because we're a wild and free bunch ourselves.
5. Pili Hunters Pili Nuts are the Healthiest Nuts in the World
It’s because our pili nuts grow wild that they’re nutritious and incredibly nutrient dense. Monocropping depletes soil health and the nutrient value of the food that grows in it. In contrast, our pili nuts grow as nature intended, fed by rich soil and the biodiversity of complementary flora and fauna.
As such, the pili nut has many health benefits: it’s a complete protein; high in the minerals magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and manganese; rich in omega 3 fatty acids; low carb; and contains high levels of antioxidant compounds.
In plain English, pili nuts are good for your brain, heart health, and bones, removes toxins, reduces bad cholesterol, and helps you sleep better.
6. Pili Hunters Pili Nuts are Sprouted
Did you know that nuts and seeds have a protective coating that makes it difficult for your body to absorb their nutrition? The process of sprouting nuts is important to make their nutrients available for your body. Pili nuts are not traditionally sprouted in the Philippines, but we want to ensure that every single nutrient these powerhouse nuts possess are in a form your body can access.
7. Pili Hunters Pili Nuts are Vegan, Keto, Paleo, Gluten-free, GMO-free
Traditional pili nut preparation in the Philippines relies on heavy amounts of sugar or saturated cooking oils. In our commitment to reap the maximum amount of nutritional value from pili nuts, we never used refined oils when oil is added, and instead opt for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut oil, and Avocado Oil. When it comes to salt, we use pure Himalayan salt (as sea salt can contain microplastics). This is all in pursuit of retaining the purity of the pili nut and maintaining its ‘healthiest nut’ status. This commitment has resulted in support from very loyal Keto, Vegan, Paleo, and Gluten-free communities.
8. Pili Hunters Pili Nuts are Delicious
If you’ve been raised to think food that’s good for you tastes bad, then you’re in for a treat. Pili nuts are mind-blowingly good, and we guarantee that you’ve never had anything like them.
We can tell you they’re a cross between a macadamia and a cashew, but not quite. We can tell you they are buttery and melt in your mouth in a way that’s hard to describe. But nothing we say can prepare you for your first taste. The best thing to do is to try them for yourself.
Because of their nutrition, they’ve been readily adopted by health advocates, but it won’t be long before we see gourmands outside of the Philippines introducing pili nuts into their high-end cuisine. Be sure to check out our Pili Hunters pili nut recipes for inspiration.
9. Pili Hunters is Ethical
There’s the saying, “it’s not personal, it’s just business,” but for Pili Hunters, business is personal. Our founder, Jason, works closely with the Filipino communities whose livelihood depends on pili nuts.
From climbing up trees, to drying nuts in the sun, to cracking open hard shells, labor is intensive, yet the local market can only sustain a low price. Pili Hunters ensures a fair price is paid for the pili nuts to help sustain these communities. We never take advantage of our Filipino connections because at the end of the day, they’re our friends, too. Pili Hunters also supports a fairly-paid American workforce, currently located in Bend, Oregon.
10. People Love Pili Hunters
Imagine Jason when he first arrived back home to the states, going from store to store with bags of pili nuts and a smile. “You gotta try these,” he’d say, fully confident they too would fall in love with pili nuts. And fall in love they did. And, they continue to do so!
People love Pili Hunters, but don’t take our word for it. Reading Pili Hunters testimonials and product reviews from loyal customers and first timers always warms our hearts, because sharing pili nuts with the world is our mission. We’re also proud to work with brand ambassadors who are mountaineers, nutritionists, Ketogenic lifestyle experts, and personal trainers.
When the people lead, the leaders follow, and we’re catching attention from some big media leaders, too, such as Vogue, Shark Tank, Heavy.com, Pop Sugar, and Shape.
Now that you love Pili Hunters, please know that the feeling is completely mutual. Thanks for being here. Your support makes all the difference.
