Pecans

Pecans: From Tree to Dinner Plate

Pecans are among the most beloved staples of the American diet, appearing in dishes both sweet and savory. But few people understand the complex journey a pecan must take before it reaches a dinner plate. In this blog post, we will explore the scientific journey of a pecan, from tree to table.

First, we must understand where pecans come from. Pecans are the edible fruit of the Carya illinoinensis, commonly known as the pecan tree. The pecan tree is native to North America and is cultivated all over the United States. The Carya illinoinensis typically grows as a large, spreading tree and lives for an average of 150 years. The outer bark of the tree’s trunk is a grayish-brown color, with diamond-shaped furrows that become increasingly shallow at the base of the tree. The leaves of the pecan tree are bright green and are alternately arranged along the branches.

Pecan trees produce male flowers, called catkins, in clusters of two or three. The catkins contain staminate flowers, which produce pollen. The female flowers, called inflorescences, are also produced in clusters of two or three; they encase in their tiny cups the future pecan nut.

The next step in the journey of the pecan is its maturation. After pollination, the catkins wither and die, while the female flowers dry up into the familiar nut. A typical pecan tree will produce nuts between the months of October and April, with the peak harvest occurring during the November-December period.

Harvesting pecans requires careful management. For hand-harvesting, mature pecans are shaken from the trees, either with a long pole or by shakers mounted on wooden carts. For mechanical harvesting, commercially available machinery can be used to separate the nuts from the husks. Because pecans mature at different rates, machines must be specifically adjusted to allow for a range of nut sizes.

Once harvested, the pecans typically travel to a processing facility, where the nuts are inspected and graded. The grading process includes: separating the eggs from the gherkins, sorting pecans by size and weight, and separating out any blown or infested nuts. During the inspection process, the pecans are exposed to ultraviolet light to detect any fungal infections and subjected to a propionic acid fumigation, to kill any insect pests.

The sorted pecans are then placed into burlap sacks or cardboard boxes, depending on the quantity being shipped, and then stored in temperature-controlled warehouses. The pecans are left to sit and ripen, during which time they shed their outer hulls, called shuckers.

Following the ripening process, the pecans are transported to a facility for shelling and packaging. After cleaning and drying, the shucked pecans are separated into their different grades and levels of purity. The pecans are then transported to packaging lines, where automated equipment packages them into consumer-ready containers.

From there, the pecans can be sent to supermarkets or specialty stores, or sold online. As with other nut varieties, pecans should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark place for maximum shelf life.

But of course, the ultimate destination of a pecan is the dinner plate. Pecans can be added to a variety of dishes both sweet and savory, from salads to desserts and beyond. Pecans are a rich source of healthy fats and dietary fiber, and contain trace minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. For these reasons, they are a fantastic choice for those looking to increase their intake of leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits, and nuts.

Whether used in a nutritious trail mix or as a crunchy topping on a salad, the pecan is undoubtedly one of America’s most beloved snacks. After travelling such a long journey, it’s no wonder it has so thoroughly embedded itself in the hearts of so many.