I would like to welcome you to our series sharing Food Holidays: Food Holidays: April 14th, 2022. Did you know today is National Pecan Day? I don’t know about you, but this is one of my favorite snacks as I work to lose weight. Although I wouldn’t mind having a Pecan Praline. How about you?
Five things to know about Pecans:
- Pecans come in a variety of sizes. Including mammoth, extra-large, large, medium, small and midget.
- Before a Shelled Pecan is ready to be sold, the Pecan must be cleaned, sized, sterilized, cracked and shelled.
- There are over 1,000 varieties of Pecans. Many Pecans are named for Native American Indian Tribes, including Cheyenne, Mohawk, Sioux, Choctaw and Shawnee.
- Texas adopted the Pecan Tree as its State Tree in 1919.
- Pecans provide nearly 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for Zinc.
Fun Fact:
Albany, Georgia, which boasts more than 600,000 Pecan Trees, is the Pecan Capital of the U.S. Albany hosts the annual National Pecan Festival, which includes a race, parade, Pecan-cooking contest, the crowning of the National Pecan Queen and other activities.
The U.S. produces about 80 percent of the world’s Pecan crop.
Native Americans utilized and cultivated Wild Pecans in the 1500s. Pecans is the only tree native to North America and is considered one of the most valuable North American Nut species.
On April 14, we celebrate National Pecan Day, pecan — a uniquely American nut whose fan base counts the likes of founding fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Whether it’s a garnish on a salad or a stand-alone snack, caramelized or roasted, sweet or savory — pecans never fail to deliver on the enthralling taste and the ultimate nutrient density. Did you know, America is credited for 75% of the world’s total pecan production? This fun holiday was established by the National Pecan Shellers Association in 1966 to recognize and honor the workforce behind the cultivation of pecans in America.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PECAN DAY
On National Pecan Day, America celebrates the only nut native to its land. Pecans are a much-celebrated nut of America,
Centuries before European Colonization, Pecans were cultivated, processed, and consumed in America by Native people. The word ‘Pecan’ is derived from the word ‘pacane,’ used by the Algonquin tribe to describe a nut that needs a stone to crack open. The tribes valued Pecan for its nutrition density, and ease of consumption, and taste.
In the late 17th Century, the Pecans caught the eye of Spanish Colonists, who began cultivating large Pecan Orchards in the vicinity. But it wasn’t until the 18th Century that the commercialization of Pecans picked up the pace in the United States. By 1802, formal selling routes were established, and Pecan export had commenced.
In 1882, a hybrid Fruit via the budding of Pecan and an adjacent Wild Plant was created by Abner Landrum, a cultivator from South Carolina. This nut was considered to be an upgraded version of Pecan. Although the hybrid seeds of Abner got lost in time, in 1876, the process of grafting was recreated by Antoine, a Slave from Louisiana. Antoine presented his discovery at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1976 and thus began farming a new and improved variety of Pecans throughout the Country.
Today, America is responsible for three quarters of Pecan production in the world. From the Summer lanes of Texas to the sunny pavements of California. Pecan cultivation is a year-long endeavor for thousands of American farmworkers.
In 1996, the National Pecan Shellers Association members came together to establish April 14th as National Pecan Day. The objective of the Holiday is to celebrate the Earthly wonders of Pecans and to uplift the hardworking members of the industry who make the sustainable farming of Pecans possible.
NATIONAL PECAN DAY ACTIVITIES
- Indulge in the offering of Pecans by planning your menu around it. From Pecan Pancakes to Butter Pecan Chicken for lunch. A midday snack, enjoy Candied Pecans. Then end your day with Pecan-Crusted Salmon and Pecan Pie.
- Cookies to Pies, Pecans go well with any baking dish. For National Pecan Day, host a bakeoff with your family featuring Pecans.
- Pecans are non-fuss plants that don’t require a liver and a half to take sapling. Plant the Pecan seeds today, and you can reap Pecans tomorrow.
5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT PECANS
- Pecans are home to 19 different vitamins and minerals. Including Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Magnesium, and Potassium.
- Pecan Oil, processed from Pecans, is recommended for those with a risk of heart disease.
- Pecans have the official certification of the American Heart Association for being a ‘Heart-Healthy Food.’
- A Pecan Tree grows to over 150 feet tall and lives for over 300 years.
- Astronauts brought Pecans to the Moon in their Apollo Space mission twice.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL PECAN DAY
- The sweet and crunchy texture of a Pecan elevates any recipe it touches. From candies, cookies, or Ice Cream. It’s time we honor the contribution of the Pecan in our kitchen. As we celebrate National Pecan Day.
- While the Cashew came to America from Brazil and the California Almonds are actually a gift of Spain, Pecan is the singular Nut native to America. Pecans were widely consumed by Native Americans before European colonization.
- The American Pecan Industry is worth over $3.5 billion. Just 15 States of the U.S. produce more than 75% of Pecan in the world. Pecan Trees are responsible for the livelihoods of thousands of families and a flourishing U.S. Economy.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
