Pecan

Scientific Binomial Name: Carya illinoinensis

Selection Information

Usage: Eaten out of hand, pecan pie, chopped for salads, muffins, cookies, bread, cake, candied, spiced, and roasted

Selection: Good-quality unshelled pecans should be uncracked, free of blemishes, and heavy for their size.

Storage: Unshelled pecans will keep up to three months if kept at room temperature. Shelled pecans, can be refrigerated up to six months if they're kept in a sealed container or frozen for up to a year.

Avoid: Shake your pecans and listen for a rattle. Avoid product that does because it's a sign of age.

Seasonal Information

Available year round but fresh pecans peak three weeks after the fall harvesting season.

Pecan Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1 cup chopped Pecans(109g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 753	Calories from Fat 657
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 78g	121%
Saturated Fat 7g	34%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 15g	5%
Dietary Fiber 10g	42%
Sugars 4g
Protein 10g
Vitamin A 1%	Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 8%	Iron 15%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Source: PMA's Labeling Facts

Pecans are very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. They're also a very good source of Manganese.

Pecan Tips & Trivia

The word "Pecan" is derived from an Algonquian word that means "a nut requiring a stone to crack".
In Mexico, pecans and walnuts are both called "nuez", which is derived from the English word nut.
Southeastern Texans have an annual Texas Pecan Festival.