Georgia Pecan Commission
While there may have been wild pecans in some of Georgia's river valleys for thousands of years, commercial pecan trees are not native to the state – but they have thrived here like nowhere else. Georgia typically leads the U.S. in annual production and has for many years. The first commercial pecan farming operation in Georgia started near Savannah in 1889, when a group of growers pooled their land and resources to launch a 97 acre... [continued on following page]
Georgia Pecan Commission
10 Reasons to Go Nuts Over Georgia Pecans [continued from page 1] commercial pecan operation. In 1910, southwest Georgia landowners started planting pecan trees by the score in a “pecan boom” that lasted until 1925. Ironically, these orchards weren’t intended to yield an agricultural crop – they were a real estate venture meant to improve five- and 10-acre plots sold across South and Central Georgia for homes and small farms. Landowners soon realized pecan trees were not only eye-pleasing – they also yielded a lucrative crop. By 1919, the first year the Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service kept records, Georgia growers produced 3.2 million pounds of pecans, even then worth 38 cents a pound – a $1,216,000 haul. Commercial production today remains centered near Albany in SouthCentral Georgia but there are orchards ranging from a few acres to a few thousand acres from Atlanta south.
There are plenty of reasons to go nuts over Georgia Pecans – Here are our top 10: #1 We’re Number One!
#6 Profit
Georgia is typically the U.S. leader in pecan production, accounting for about a third of the U.S. crop. Georgia has 150,000 acres of pecan trees and there are enough new trees in the ground to increase production to 200 million pounds per year by 2020. Farm gate value of the crop in 2010 was $233,941,290 – almost double 2004’s value of $121 million.
Consumer awareness of health benefits from pecans is driving sales to record highs – and record prices. “Last year was record pricing, the year before that was record pricing, this year we think we’re looking at good prices,” said Georgia Pecan Commission Chairman Duke Lane Jr. Even better, Georgia usually has the earliest harvest window in the U.S., meaning growers, retailers and wholesalers can typically command premium prices for fresh product.
#2 Nutritious Pecans are a good source of protein, fiber and unsaturated fats, and are gluten-free. Rich in omega-6 fatty acids, pecans provide essential nutrients like oleic acid, vitamin E, thiamin, magnesium, zinc and copper.
#3 High in Antioxidants Pecans contain the highest amount of antioxidants of all the tree nuts – this is why they are called the "AntioxiNUT"! Pecans rank among the top 20 foods of any kind in antioxidant activity according to the USDA. Compounds found naturally in pecans are believed to help prevent disease-causing oxidation in cells and may contribute to the fight against heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s.
#4 Snack-Tastic! As more and more consumers are realizing daily, Georgia Pecans are delicious right out of the shell. A quick toasting brings out a richer, deeper, buttery flavor. And of course, raw or roasted, pecans are a favorite in recipes from cookies and candies to salads and gourmet dishes like pecan-crusted seafood or chicken.
#5 Diet-Friendly Like all nuts, for a long time pecans got a bad rap as a diet-busting food. In recent years, research has shown that to be anything but the case. Population studies – confirmed by clinical studies — have shown that as nut consumption increases, body fat actually decreases. The Harvard School of Public Health discovered that people following a weight-loss diet that contained 35 percent of calories from fat, including pecans as a fat source, were able to keep weight off longer than people following a traditionally recommended lower fat diet. Filling, nutritious and naturally low in carbohydrates, a serving of pecans – about 18-20 raw halves —contains 196 calories, three grams of dietary fiber and over 19 vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and zinc.
#7 Heart Healthy In May, Georgia Pecans were awarded the American Heart Association’s Heart Check-mark – nation-wide recognition as a heart-healthy food. But clinical research published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2001 was first to show that eating a handful of pecans each day may help lower cholesterol levels similar to what is seen with some medications.
#8 Tasty Tasty People usually think of pies when they think of pecans and in fact pecan pie is America’s third-favorite (after apple and cherry) according to annual sales of premade pies. A 2011 Harris Poll showed that 19 percent of Americans named butter pecan as their favorite ice cream flavor.
#9 Brain Food According to the Department of Food & Science Technology at the University of Georgia, pecans may play a role in neurological health. And a study conducted at the University of Massachusetts and published in the journal Nutraceutical Research shows that eating pecans daily may delay age-related muscle nerve degeneration.
#10 Still Growing... and Growing...… Georgia’s pecan production continues to grow. “We did 125 million pounds last year and the consensus now is Georgia will do at least 100 million pounds this year,” Mr. Lane said. That does not represent a production drop. Not all pecan trees bear every year and external factors like weather can also play a role, but “Initially we projected we’d do 75 million pounds this year.” With the pecan’s rising popularity and migration to the produce department, Georgia growers have enough new trees in the ground to increase production by about 50 percent between now and 2020 to a by far world-best 200 million pounds.
Did You K now ! • There are over 500 varieties of pecans. • Pecans are the only tree nut that is truly native to the United States. first successful grafts of the pecan tree were done in 1846, eventually • The leading to a commercial crop. • By the 1920s Georgia was producing 2.5 million pounds of pecans. • By the 1950s Georgia had become the country’s leading producer of pecans. the U.S. produces between 80% and 95% of the world’s pecans & Georgia • Today, typically grows one-third of those. • Georgia’s annual harvest is enough to produce 200,000,000 pecan pies. pecan tree typically grows to a height of 75 to 100 feet and is perfectly • The suited to Georgia’s sandy loam soil and red clay. largest pecan tree in Georgia as of January 2012 was 96 feet tall, has a trunk circumference of 4.5 feet and spread out at • The the 98 feet at the crown. It is located in Newton County, about 45 minutes east of Atlanta. • Pecan trees can live and bear edible nuts for an eternity, at the mercy of mother nature of course. were one of the most recently domesticated major crops. Although wild pecans were well-known among colonial • Pecans Americans as a delicacy, commercial growing in the United States did not begin until the 1880s – Georgia was in the picture by the end of that decade.
Georgia Pecan Commission
Georgia Pecans Fit Profile for Food Trends Healthy, Natural and Gluten-Free Nearly 2 million Americans suffer from celiac disease and thousands of others are choosing to live a gluten-free lifestyle. The autumn months mean peak season for Georgia Pecans. Delicious and naturally gluten-free, Georgia Pecans are a great addition to any meal and can be used in a wide variety of ways. Registered dietitian Carolyn O’Neil, MS, RD, co-author of The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous! has also created two gluten-free recipes on behalf of the Georgia Pecan Commission, including Georgia Pecan Confetti Quinoa; and Avocado, Grapefruit Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette and Toasted Georgia Pecans. “Crunchy Georgia Pecans add even more great taste and nutrition to recipes because pecans are a super source of heart healthy fats and antioxidants,” states O’Neil. With the highest amount of antioxidants of any tree nut 1, Georgia Pecans have earned the title, The AntioxiNUT. Georgia Pecans are also an excellent inclusion in a heart-smart diet and have earned the American Heart Association’s Heart Check-mark certification. 1(Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D.; Xu et al., 2004, J. Agric. Food Chem., 52, 4026-4037)
Pecan Selection and Storage Buy Georgia Pecans during the fall harvest season while they’re plentiful. When selecting pecans, look for plump nutmeats that are fairly uniform in color and size. Pecans are perishable because of their high oil content and they must be stored properly to maintain good quality. To keep your Georgia Pecans fresh all year: At home, unshelled pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for three to six months. Shelled pecans need to be either refrigerated in airtight containers for up to nine months, or frozen in zipper locked freezer bags for up to two years. Pecans can be frozen and refrozen for at least two years without loss of flavor or texture.
Georgia Pecan Confetti Quinoa Quinoa is a delicious gluten-free grain that cooks up light and fluffy like rice but contains more protein. This super side dish recipe featuring confetti colored sprinklings of orange, green and yellow veggies is flavored with garlic and rosemary. Crunchy Georgia Pecans add even more great taste and nutrition because pecans are a super source of heart healthy fats and antioxidants.
By Carolyn O’Neil, MS, RD, co-author The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!
Yield: 6 half-cup servings ( gluten-free )
INGREDIENTS: 2 teaspoons olive oil ½ cup diced carrots ½ cup diced zucchini squash ½ cup diced yellow squash 1 garlic clove, minced 2 cups cooked quinoa (prepared to package directions) ¼ teaspoon finely chopped rosemary leaves ¼ cup toasted Georgia Pecan halves (reserve 2 Tablespoons for garnish)
PREPARATION: Heat oil in large skillet and add carrots, zucchini, yellow squash and garlic. Cook until crisp tender. Fold in the cooked quinoa, rosemary and pecans. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt. Present quinoa on a large platter and garnish with additional toasted pecans.
Georgia Pecan Commission
LETTER FROM Duke Lane, Jr. Today and tomorrow represent a golden age for Georgia Pecans. There may never be a more exciting time to be a part of the Georgia Pecan Commission. From growing evidence that Georgia Pecans are an important element in a healthy diet to increased global demand and production, opportunities abound in our near and distant future. Heritage is at the heart of Georgia Pecans. The only tree nut indigenous to North America, many orchards have been passed down from generation to generation and growers take pride in the bountiful harvest they are able to provide. Since the 1800s, Georgia has led the nation in pecan production and the current season will be no exception. Georgia Pecan growers welcomed an early start to this year’s crop, which should produce at least 100 million pounds. That means Georgia Pecans will be plentiful this season, both domestically and in the global market. With our ongoing AntioxiNUT campaign, the Georgia Pecan Commission is stepping up its efforts to educate consumers about the health benefits of Georgia Pecans. Research shows that Georgia Pecans have the highest amount of antioxidants of any tree nut, may reduce cholesterol and are an excellent source of healthy fats. Georgia Pecans are also naturally gluten-free. Additional research on the nutritional and health benefits of Georgia Pecans is underway at the University of Georgia thanks to a four-year, $1.2 million USDA grant. Earlier this year, the American Heart Association certified Georgia Pecan halves and pieces with the organization’s Heart Check-mark, further validating the inclusion of the nut in moderation as part of a heart-healthy diet. Perhaps the area of interest that has garnered the most attention is the burgeoning export market. Consumers in countries such as China, India, Turkey and Dubai are just discovering the goodness of Georgia Pecans. Shipments to those countries continue to increase and opportunities in those markets will soar. As a result of this global demand, more trees are being planted and Georgia Pecan growers plan to increase production by 50 percent between now and 2020, when nearly 200 million pounds are expected to be harvested. There has never been a better time to be affiliated with Georgia Pecans. If you ever want to know more, don't hesitate to ask. Visit our website at www.georgiapecans.org. Sincerely, Duke Lane, Jr. Chairman, Georgia Pecan Commission
PECAN PRODUCTION U.S. Pecan Production in 2011 (in lbs) 1. Georgia – 110,000,000 2. New Mexico – 59,000,000 3. Texas – 40,000,000 4. Arizona – 18,500,000 5. Alabama – 10,000,000 SOURCE: USDA
We tend to think of Georgia Pecans as a single product – a Georgia Pecan. But in reality there are more than 500 varieties of pecans grown in Georgia. The rich, nutty taste of Georgia Pecans can be enjoyed by itself or enhance the flavor of any dish and given the number of varieties, the culinary possibilities are nearly endless. More than just a savory sensation, pecans provide essential nutrients like vitamin E, thiamin, magnesium, copper, fiber and oleic acid, which may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. The most common varieties of pecans planted in Georgia orchards today include the Cape Fear, Desirable, Elliott, Schley, Stuart and Sumner varieties. Here’s a look at where they all came from: CAPE FEAR Originating in Willard, North Carolina at the North Carolina agricultural experiment station, the Cape Fear shell has dark stripes with creamy to golden brown colored kernels. An offspring of the Schley, Cape Fear pecans ripen in late mid-season, leaving some growers to believe this is the pecan of the future. DESIRABLE One of the first pecan varieties developed from a controlled cross in the early 20th century, Desirable pecans are larger nuts than Stuart, with a medium-thick shell that stands up to mechanical harvesting and shelling. This variety is in much demand because of its good flavor and color which do not change during roasting, making Desirables the best pecans for roasting and salting. ELLIOTT One of the most flavorful pecans and a favorite with Georgia Pecan growers, Elliott pecans come from a small, round shell, yielding a round pecan half. These diseaseresistant pecans are perfect for home cultivation. They are slow to bear and are not heavy producers. SCHLEY Schley pecans originated in Jackson County, Mississippi and are named in honor of Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, commander of U.S. Naval Forces in the Spanish-American War. They are considered the standard in the industry and are used extensively in breeding. Schley pecans have superior flavor and a slender appearance, both in and out of the shell. The thin shell does not hold up to mechanical harvesting. STUART An older variety and the dominant pecan in the U.S. pecan industry, Stuart pecans are resistant to diseases and winter temperatures. This variety produces a large nut with high production. The thick shell protects the nut from mechanical harvesting, but the nuts are not produced as soon as the Desirable variety. SUMNER Walter E. Sumner discovered Sumner pecans in 1932 in Tift County, Georgia. They have been and are currently being planted to a limited extent in Georgia, primarily in the southeastern part of the state. The thin shell is oblong, smooth and glossy, with a distinguishing crease at the apex. The shell color is light brown with black markings. Sumner pecans have been dubbed “Jumbo Schley.”