- The United States produces 80% of the world’s pecans.
- The fats found in pecans are classified as monounsaturated and are recommended for the maintenance of a healthy heart. The nuts are also rich in Vitamin E and the mineral zinc. Pecans actually provide nearly 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for zinc and one ounce of pecans provides 10% of the recommended daily fiber intake.
- It takes 12 years for a pecan tree to mature. When grown in ideal conditions, it can live and stay productive for over 200 years. 2 Pecans provide nearly 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for zinc.
- Before a shelled pecan is ready to be sold, it must first be cleaned, sized, sterilized, cracked and finally, shelled.
- There are over 1,000 varieties of pecans. Many 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.
April 14th is National Pecan Day
April 2, 2021Did You Know?
Pecan Day, celebrated each year on April 14th, is a day to celebrate the day in 1775 that Thomas Jefferson gave George Washington a pecan tree to plant in his yard in Mount Vernon. However, according to historians, the Native Americans were the first to use pecans for food. Some additional fun facts you can bring up at your next social gathering:
