From shape of pecan you can see that pecans are a distant relative of the walnut. Pecans resemble walnuts, but are usually longer, slimmer and look smoother. The skin is brown and smooth and is thinner and easier to crack than that of walnuts.
History
The pecan originates in the southern United States and Mexico. At that time the nut was important for the diet of the Indians and was later used as a trade product. The largest producer is the United States with an annual production of about 150,000 to 200,000 tons.
The appearance of the pecan is somewhat similar to the walnut, they are elongated and grooved. They are also recognizable by their rich and buttery taste and delicious sweet smell. The sweet smell they leave behind is due to the healthy oils they contain. The oil extracted from the nut is used in the cosmetics industry and soap.
Pecans have played a major role in the diet and cuisine of the indigenous peoples of Mexico and the southern United States, where the pecan has been growing since time immemorial. Many Native American tribes relied on pecans as their staple food during the autumn and winter months and pecans even served as a bargaining chip.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Spanish and French settlers began cultivating pecans and eventually exported them to other parts of the world. New Orleans, an important seaport, lies at the heart of the pecan’s natural habitat and became a major player in the growing pecan market of the 19th century.
Pecans still play a major role in the culture and traditions of the southern United States. From pecan nuts to coffee pecan ice cream, pecan nuts are part of the rich culinary heritage of the southern United States.
Production
Pecan grows mainly in southern North America and is a deciduous, 40 to 50 meter tall tree of the walnut family (Juglandaceae), trees found worldwide except in Africa and Australia. Pecans have many health benefits and have excellent nutritional value. Pecans contain more antioxidants than any other tree nut. They also contain vitamins and minerals such as manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Pecan production is quite dependent on the weather: The pecan is sensitive to droughts such as those that occur in the south of the US. Not only the total production then decreases; also the size of the nut is less. The harvest season lasts from September to January. Pecan is a growing market, and the United States produce an ever-increasing share of world production.
Applications
Pecans are valued for their high levels of antioxidants and omega-6 fatty acids and both protect the health of your heart, lower cholesterol levels and help prevent disease. Pecans are also high in protein and fiber, while low in saturated fat, making them a popular alternative source of protein for vegetarians, vegans, and ‘vegetarians’.
Pecans also contain many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B1 (thiamine), phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. They are a great source of manganese and copper. These minerals are essential components of enzymes that your body needs to perform physiological reactions in your cells. If you don’t get enough of these minerals, it can cause problems with your growth and metabolism.
Pecans can be consumed in different ways. The nut can be eaten raw or roasted as a snack, but they are also delicious with a tasty salad or through the yogurt. They can’t really go bad, but the quality of the taste decreases with age. To ensure the quality, it is important to keep the nuts in a well-sealed plastic bag, container or glass jar. It is important that it is airtight. This prevents the formation of mold and preserves the taste.
Price Factors
Because pecans are an agricultural product, there are a lot of unpredictable factors that have an impact on wholesale pecan prices. Most of the time, the price is ultimately determined by how many pounds of fresh pecans can be harvested from each tree.
There are many factors that may impact the number and size of the pecans that are harvested from the trees, such as weather, insects and diseases. Pecan Scab Disease is one of the most common diseases. The damage the Scab causes can be significant since it not only affects the pecan nuts, it affects the leaves and shucks of the tree as well.
