How Many Varieties of Pecans Are There?
Welcome back to the wild world of pecans. This is the world we live in, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. And why? Well, because pecans are just so delicious and darn good for you. They are North America’s favorite nut, being one of the only nut varieties native to the United States and Mexico. In fact, groves of pecan trees grow wild along riverbanks. The humid areas of the Lower Mississippi River Valley provide some of the most ideal conditions. It’s one of the reasons Georgia grows the most pecans in the United States. It’s also – as you’ll soon find – why Mississippi is the birthplace of so many pecan tree varieties.
Still, that doesn’t mean only the best pecans are found in Georgia. We happen to think that some of the best pecans can actually be found in Arizona. But why? Well, besides the fact that our farm is here, Arizona does have some built-in advantages over southeastern states like Georgia, with the main advantage being a climate that excludes some pests and diseases found in more humid, wetter growing areas.
And yet pecans can be found across a wide swath of the southern United States and Mexico. When you have such a wide footprint, you’re bound to have a variety of different pecan types. In fact, although only a few are widely planted, there are now over 500 cultivating varieties of pecan trees with new ones being introduced through breeding programs. Let’s take a closer look at the various pecan types and varieties that exist today in alphabetical order.
Candy Pecans
When we say Candy pecans, we aren’t talking about pecans that have been fashioned into candy, though that is admittedly what some people do with pecans. No, Candy pecans are actually a type of pecan. Think of it as candy pecan with a capital “C”. They were called candy pecans because at the time, in 1913, people had not yet thought to use pecans in the variety of ways we do today. Back then they were primarily used for confectionery goods. While they are not as popular as they used to be, Candy pecans have a great flavor and very thin shell. Today, they are primarily grown in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida.
Cape Fear Pecans
Don’t worry, these pecans did not originate in a nightmarish horror movie! No, Cape Fear pecans were developed in a far more urbane environment, at the North Carolina State University Horticultural Department’s Coastal Plain Research Station (say that five times fast!). Cape Fear pecans were originally discovered in the late 1930s and quickly took off as a popular pecan variety. They have a beautiful golden color and a better-than-average flavor, making them one of the more popular varieties in circulation.
Desirable Pecans
You’re probably reading these and wondering what happened to the creativity when pecan varieties were being named. Well, we aren’t sure, but certainly, some more imagination could have gone into these naming conventions, especially with this one. It doesn’t get more basic than a “Desirable” pecan. You may chuckle, but if you are a regular eater of pecans (and why wouldn’t you be?) it’s highly likely you’ve eaten your fair share of Desirable pecans. After becoming widely available in 1945, the Desirable variety quickly took over as the dominant strain. By the turn of the Millennium, it was the most widely planted pecan variety in the United States. They can easily be picked out by their easy-to-crack shell and thick, meaty nut inside. It’s the pecan variety that most people eat when they are chowing down on pecans, whether as a snack or in a recipe.
Elliot Pecans
The trend of unimaginative pecan variety names continues! Because – you guessed it – this pecan variety is named after someone named H. Elliot, who discovered it growing on his front lawn in the early 1900s. Elliot pecans are fairly small, but pack a big flavorful punch with a rich, buttery flavor and a hint of hickory. Because of their niche status, Elliot pecans can generally be found at organic grocers, specialty stores, and specialty markets. If you are looking for a pecan that’s great by itself for snacking, look no further than the Elliot. And don’t look now, but this won’t be the last time you encounter a pecan variety that is nothing more than someone’s name.
Kiowa Pecans
Kiowa pecans are also known as Hardy pecans, mainly because they are noted for consistently producing a very large, high-quality nut. The quality of the nut, year-over-year, is good. These varieties are not too common but can be found mainly in Texas. Kiowa pecans are desirable from a farming perspective because they can be easily bred with other pecans varieties to create interesting new strains.
Moreland Pecans
Moreland pecan varieties are some of the most widespread varieties. They originally came from Louisiana, but it wasn’t long before they spread far and wide across the southern United States. They are consistent, hardy, and easily bred. Even better, they are highly resistant to extreme cold, Pecan Scab disease, and other common nut diseases and fungi. They are average-sized but great-tasting nuts with medium-thick shells and are very easy to come by. Enjoy them by the handful.
Stuart Pecans
And we have reached the last of our “Most Creative Pecan Names” award! It’s quite likely that the individual who named this pecan variety was named Stuart, whether in first or last, male, or female. Interestingly, this is also one of the oldest-known named pecan varieties. The Stuart pecan was discovered in Pascagoula, Mississippi in the 1880s. It’s no great secret that Mississippi was the birthplace of some of the best pecan varieties of today. Several other old standard pecan varieties such as the Success, Delmas, and Eastern Schley were also discovered near Pascagoula. The Stuart variety may not be the best tasting or have the thinnest shell, but it has longevity.
Pecans of Arizona
As an Arizona-based pecan grower, we would be remiss if we did not pay some attention to the pecans we grow! Why? Because there are another three varieties of pecans right here in the Grand Canyon State. Right now, pecan farmers in Arizona are cultivating:
Pawnee Pecans: There is a reason why Pawnee pecans do well in Arizona. They love the sun! This is the pecan variety that loves plenty of sunshine more than any other variety. This variety is also a top producer of medium- to large-sized nuts and is fairly resistant to disease, aphids, and fungi. Overall, the Pawnee is the real trooper of the pecan world.
Western Pecans: Also known as ‘Western Schley' pecans, Westerns are the most widely planted pecan in the Southwest. They produce a small, high-quality nut and are very productive in warm, sunny climates. However, its small nut size and extreme susceptibility to scab make it unsuitable for use in the Southeast. It is a good thing this great variety thrives in Arizona.
Wichita Pecans: Wichita pecans are another one of the most widely planted varieties. Wichita pecans mature into quality, good-tasting nuts at a young age. And because they shed pollen later than the Western, Wichita pecans act as a great pollinator, which is why many farmers cultivate both Westerns and Wichita pecans together.
With over 500 varieties of pecan, we could spend a long time going into every single variety, but these are the most popular that exist today. The pecan varieties described above are the ones we all know and love as we snack on pecans and add them to some of our favorite dishes.
Some other pecan varieties you may hear of out and about include, but are not limited to:
Hican Pecans: These are some of the rarest pecans you can find. They have a mild hickory flavor and an elegant, buttery taste. Being rare, they can also be a bit on the expensive side.
Mahan Pecans: This popular variety has a thin shell and a richly flavored nut. This is a good variety for snacking or for use in recipes.
Osage Pecans: What makes the Osage pecan special? It is one of the few varieties bred to grow well and thrive in the northern United States. They have an excellent taste-to-oil content ratio, making them a sought-after nut.
Summer Pecans: Summer pecans are the most widely grown pecan type in Georgia. If you visit a pecan farm in Southern Georgia, specifically, you’re likely in the presence of Summer pecans.
Would you believe there are even more pecan varieties than this? That’s right, we could go on and on explaining each pecan type and its attributes and taste. But in the interest of saving you valuable time, we’ll leave it right here. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the many varieties of pecans. If you like nuts that have a wide variety of types, sizes, flavors, and textures, pecans are the way to go. Are you ready to be delighted? If so, it’s time for Delightful Pecans!