Pecans are one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts. The United States is the world’s leading producer of pecans in the world, which constitute 80% of pecans globally produced.
There are over 1000 types of pecans, with each one differing in taste, appearance, and overall quality. Some are a bit drier with a nuttier taste and texture, while some have a buttery flavor. In general, all pecans have a similar buttery and nutty flavor.
Where are Pecans Grown in the US?
Being the largest producer of pecans, the United States commercially grows pecans in fifteen states. The following states are home to some of the biggest pecan farms: California, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Texas. Georgia, and Texas are the leading states in growing pecans.
Where Did Pecans Start Growing?
Most people think that pecans originate from southern parts of the United States. However, many people are surprised to find out that they were first known to the Europeans. The Native Americans consumed and traded pecans long ago. However, it was Europeans who made the use and selling of pecans popular in the 16th century.
Europeans who first found pecans were Spanish explorers who, at that time, resided in southern parts of the US. They started trading pecans to the other regions of the world, and then gradually pecan farms and orchards started to grow in certain states of the US.
How Are Pecans Grown?
Pecans grow in orchards or groves of trees. Groves are groups of trees that grow naturally while orchards are planted by humans. Trees, whether in grooves or orchards, can live for many years with thorough management by expert and dedicated pecan growers. Orchards are ideal to grow and sell pecans commercially.
It takes seven to ten years for a pecan tree to produce nuts. However, once the tree begins to give a full supply of nuts, it produces pecans for very long, in some cases more than hundreds of years.
When the harvest season comes, farmers may need to plant more new trees in their orchards. Trees take at most 10 years to fully mature and give fruit, but the farmers give all their efforts and use their expertise to provide the best conditions so that the trees grow tall enough. They give gallons of water and maintain the quality of soil to ensure its fertility. The plow the land and spread the fertilizers before planting new pecan trees. They also have to take care of the land to prevent any damage from insects or pests.
Wrapping Up
Pecans are commercially grown in fifteen states in which Georgia, Texas, and New Mexico are the largest producers. The US alone produces 80% of the pecans in the world with about 500 different varieties.
