Interesting Facts About Pecans You May Have Never Heard Of
We talk about pecans all the time, and there is a good reason for it. We live and breathe pecans, day in and day out. And while you might think we have already covered all there is to cover about our favorite nut, you would be wrong! That’s why we wanted to take a moment in our latest blog post to share some interesting fun facts about pecans. You’ll be the hero at trivia night when the ‘nuts’ category comes up.
The fact is pecans are a very interesting nut. And the pecan tree is a very interesting tree. There are some particulars about pecans and pecan trees that are unique only to them. Here’s one we’ve touched on before, but still blows peoples’ minds: pecans are actually a fruit! That’s right, while pecans (and walnuts, almonds, and peanuts) are commonly known as nuts, they are in fact a fruit. Like peaches and plums, pecans are part of the 'drupe' family, characterized as "fruit surrounded by a husk, with a single stone or pit in the center".
So, what are some of the other fun pecan facts you probably have never heard? We’re going to list them out for you right here. Let’s dive right in!
The Name
We’ve mentioned a couple of times in past blogs that the word “pecan” comes from an Algonquin word that means “a nut that requires a stone to crack” because of the hard shell. And yet, “pecan” wasn’t the first word created to describe this flavorful and healthy nut. In fact, when Spanish explorers came to the North American continent and discovered pecans in the 16th Century, they named them “nuez de larruga” which means “wrinkle nut”. Obviously, that name did not stick. Personally, we are pretty happy that the masses settled on “pecan”, which is far easier to both say and remember.
Pecan Pronunciation
You may think everyone says “pecan” the same way, but in fact, there are two different pronunciations. Of course, much like so many other things, no one agrees on which one is the correct pronunciation. Now, according to data provided by the National Pecan Shellers Association, “PEE-can” seems to be the preferred pronunciation among 45 percent of Americans, which make up the majority since the other pronunciations split the vote. The other 55 percent were split between “puh-KAHN” and “PEE-kahn”—an interesting hybrid of the two.
Native American Usage
We’ve mentioned that the word “pecan” comes from the Algonquin language, but Native Americans did more with pecans than provide the name. Pecans played an important part in Native American culture, diet, and medicine. Native Americans ate pecans but also made pecan milk for infants and the elderly. They also made an alcoholic beverage with pecans, called “powcohicora.” And that word relates to more than just pecans. The word hickory comes from the word “powcohicora”. Why is that important? Because the pecan tree is a hickory tree!
An Important Role in Early America
Pecans also played an important role in the lives of early American colonists. Being one of the only nut species native to the North American continent, when British settlers arrived and began spreading across the U.S., the pecan became an important part of their gardens and diet. It is documented that Thomas Jefferson planted a pecan tree in his orchard and would gift the other founding fathers pecans. But pecans did not go into commercial production until the 1880s. What did the colonists and early Americans think of pecans before they became a commodity? Well, they were considered a foraged delicacy by colonists. Those who had pecan trees or grew pecans had excellent currency to barter with.
The Fascinating Pecan Tree
The pecan tree itself is really a fascinating tree. Growing pecans takes some special care since it takes them 12 years to reach maturity and begin producing. Yet, once it does reach maturity and begins providing pecans, a healthy pecan tree can live for up to 300 years! Can you believe that some pecan trees alive today have been around since the founding of our nation? Pecan trees are also pretty physically impressive, growing up 150 feet tall and with trunks over 3 feet in diameter. These are big, imposing trees! Amazing they produce such a small, healthy, and sought-after nut.
The pecan tree is special, and not just because it produces pecans. It has an interesting growth and maturation cycle. The pecan tree life cycle begins in the fall when the mature pecan trees drop thousands of seeds. The seeds are then spread by animals, wind, or rain and will lay dormant through the winter and in the spring the pecan tree sapling will begin to grow.
The United States Loves Pecans
Here is another good one: 75% of pecans sold commercially are grown and packaged right here in the United States. And there’s a good reason for it. Even the federal government is on board with pecan promotion. In May 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the approval of a Federal Marketing Order to provide funding for the organized promotion of pecans. We’ve even got holidays for pecans. Get ready to celebrate in 2023 because April 14th is National Pecan Day in the United States. And that’s not the only day we’ve dedicated to pecans because July 12th is National Pecan Pie Day. The state of Texas even named the pecan tree its state tree. During the Apollo moon missions, astronauts took pecans to the moon… twice! We are pretty sure no other nuts have made it to the moon.
Interesting Uses for Pecans Shells
Pecans and pecan shells have played an interesting role in society throughout the ages. In fact, during World War II, pecan shells were often used as a substitute for coffee. But the interesting ways pecans and pecan shells can be used don’t stop there. For instance, pecan shells are great for smoking. They burn easily and add a sweet flavor to your meat. Pecan shells can also be used in beauty products. They make a great material for skin exfoliation. How so? Well, natural oils in pecan shells help nourish and moisturize the skin while the rough granules help remove any stubborn dirt or dead skin. Pecans also make great mulch for gardening as they help your soil retain moisture.
Pecan wood has even been used in novel ways throughout history. Pecan wood was used for the handles of the Olympic Torches in 1996. The torches were carried across a 15,000-mile relay until the flame was lit at the host city of Atlanta, Georgia. How about that for elevating pecans?
Pecans at Home
Did you know pecan shells are great for arts and crafts? If you are looking for a fun and free afternoon craft project with your kids, you can use pecan shells to make all sorts of things. How? Simply take the shell halves, flip them over and paint them however you want. Because they are smooth and round, they make a great medium for painting. You can also add googly eyes, small wings made with paper, or feet made with little beads or rocks. And with the holidays coming up, how about using pecan crafts as Christmas ornaments?
Wow! Wasn’t all that fascinating? There are many reasons why people love pecans so much, whether in the past or today. And we understand why. Pecans are abundant, healthy, delicious, and versatile. Whether you are using pecans themselves, pecan trees, pecan shells, or pecan wood, you’ve got plenty of options. So, what will you do with your next bag of pecans?