The pecan is a nut from a species of hickory trees native to northern Mexico and the southern United States. The nut is a nutrition powerhouse loaded with vitamins and minerals. What’s more, raw pecans are cholesterol-free, sodium-free, and low in carbohydrates.
What Are Pecans?
Pecans are a nut produced by a species of hickory tree that is native to North America. Most of the U.S. pecan crop comes from New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia. Mexico is the worlds largest pecan producer, and the U.S. comes in second. Wild pecans were a major food source for Indigenous peoples in what is now known as North America, and pecans have been cultivated commercially since the 1880s.
Pecans have a sweet, nutty, buttery flavor, and can be eaten fresh, roasted, and used in all kinds of recipes, particularly desserts. Pecan pie is an American classic and one of the quintessential sweet-savory concoctions in the culinary arts.
What Do They Taste Like?
Pecans have a distinctly sweet and buttery flavor, and a mildly floral, foresty aroma. The outside of the nut is slightly bitter and the flesh within is sweet, buttery, and almost fatty. The nut itself can crumble, almost like a cookie. In fact, the nut itself has an overall confectionery taste, almost like cookies or candy. The texture is firm yet light and pleasantly crunchy, with the nut’s rich oils releasing as you bite down.
How Pecans Are Manufactured | How It’s Made
FAQ
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