The Resplendent History of the Pecan: A Revelation of Aristocratic Tastes and Nature's Altruism

The Resplendent History of the Pecan: A Revelation of Aristocratic Tastes and Nature's Altruism

The pecan trees, christened Carya illinoinensis in the language of botany, stand tall and regal in natural groves, flourishing in the fertile bottom lands adjacent to majestic rivers or tranquil lakes that indulge in periodic bouts of overflooding. The illustriously rich historical tapestry reveals that these pecans were generously collected and meticulously stored by the original settlers and denizens of America, the American Indians, and the culturally advanced civilization known as the "mound builders." This admirable trait of assiduity was mirrored by subsequent generations of American Indians, leading to an active tradition of pecan gathering by the time of the European colonists' arrival.

Exploration of the natural geographic limits of these pecan trees discloses a reach northwards along the life-sustaining tributaries of the Mississippi River encompassing areas as diverse as Louisville, Kentucky; Terra Haute, Indiana; and Clinton, Iowa, that aligns latitudinally with the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois.

The pages of history turn to the year 1792, where reports abound of a certain William Bartram noting in his botanical magnum opus, Travels, the presence of a peculiar nut tree labeled as 'Juglans exalata'. The identity of this tree even today sparks animated debates in botanical circles, with a divided camp of botanists attributing it to either the American pecan tree or its botanical cousin, the hickory, classified as 'Carya ovata'. Such intellectual tussles, the reader would agree, are one of the timeless circular debates of botany.

Nestled in the annals of American history are the enchanting narratives of Thomas Jefferson planting pecan trees, ‘Carya illinoinensis,’ extensively known as the ‘Illinois nuts’, in his estate orchard located at the breathtaking Monticello, Virginia. Jefferson’s devotion to agriculture was vividly reciprocated by his peer, George Washington, who noted with fervor in his journal the receipt of ‘Illinois nuts’, the majestic pecans dutifully planted at Mount Vernon, Virginia. The pecan trees, standing as symbols of Jefferson and Washington's shared vision, have grown and flourished, adding to the grandeur of their abodes. Their freshly harvest, ripe largesse is savored with gusto, appreciated for its rich nutrient offering and superior taste.

The pecan trees are indeed native to the United States, representing a unique biospheric gift that is found naturally growing nowhere else in the world. From the banks of the mighty rivers in Texas to the fertile lands bordering the lower Mississippi River and further up to the towns mentioned earlier of Louisville, Kentucky; Terra Haute, Indiana; and Clinton, Iowa, native pecan trees can be seen as botanical sentinels, standing tall and majestic. Their presence extends westwards, adorning the landscape of Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. Unearthing an astounding tradition, it is reported that nomadic tribes of Indians transported these nuts from their native habitats to other areas of the United States, seemingly planting them to nurture future groves that contribute to the remarkable pecan legacy of today.

The diversity of these pecan nuts is enticing. Their shapes range from delicate ovals to elongated artistry. Their sizes, as well, vary, transcending from the meager dimensions of a pencil eraser to a robust 1.5 inches in diameter and an admirable length of over three inches. The kernels within differ in volume, sometimes snugly filling the hull, sometimes finding the space too expansive. A noteworthy phenomenon occurs in pecans surprisingly boasting a kernel density so compact that the shells shatter while still affixed to the tree, a result of the swelling pressure created from within, a common occurrence after generous rainfall at the cusp of the ripening season.

The allure of the pecan, as most nut connoisseurs would concur, lies in its plush juiciness and divine sweetness, creating gourmet experiences far superior to any other nut. Commercial pecan shelling businesses have a ritual of soaking the nuts overnight in their shells, prior to deploying mechanical automatic crackers. This treatment begets the fascinating yield of ‘perfect halves,’ an aesthetically pleasing product that commands the highest prices in the marketplace. Smaller seedling pecans, often termed native pecans, are favored by the confectionary industry as a more cost-effective alternative for garnishing individual pieces of their delightful creations.

The kernel of the pecan is distinct, housing a lavish concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid and nutrient-rich oils teeming with antioxidants. This oil concentration is so profound that close proximity to a burning match will ignite the kernel, offering an illuminating manifestation of its substantial oil content.

For commercial shellers, the prime offering lies in the ‘perfect pecan halves’, a product that is fervently sought after by grocery markets due to its distinguished shape and form. Smaller fragments of the pecan nut are equally treasured, being packaged into compact one pound bags frequently on display in grocery stores during the fall season. These fragmented pecans also find their way into bakeries, being woven into delicious products such as pecan divinity candy, pecan logs, toasted and salted pecans, and pecan brittle. The residual, miniscule pieces find a purpose as they are ground into a fine meal lending a robust pecan flavor to various baking creations.

The timing of marketing harvested pecan nuts is crucially prominent, with the fall season, especially before Thanksgiving, being the most desirable timeline. Post-November, the market price of pecans declines as shellers and processors need to expedite the packaging of fresh nuts to meet increasing holiday demand.

The retail scope of in-shell pecans is intimately tied to multiple factors such as scarcity, quality, and unit size, with the prices of native pecans (seedlings) often lower than improved cultivars. In-shell pecans have commanded recent seasonal prices ranging from $1.00 to $2.25 per pound wholesale. A prominent trait linked to the valuation of pecans is the thinness of the shells. The term ‘papershell pecan’ is emblematic of this thinness, with two nuts fitting in one's fist, easily cracked to produce ‘perfect halves.’

Despite the pecan tree’s Southern origin, it displays remarkable resilience to cold. It has sturdily weathered low temperatures of zero degrees Fahrenheit and other drastic weather oscillations, standing as an enduring testament to the pecan's durability.

Harvesting of pecan trees can be accomplished commercially using tractor-mounted mechanical shakers, post the browning of the shucks on leafless trees following autumn's first frost. Ensuring a clean sweep of the ground beneath the pecan trees, automatic vacuum machines meticulously remove dirt particles, twigs, and other detritus, facilitating bagging of the freshly harvested nuts in the field itself.

Interest in pecans as a health food, coupled with the widespread knowledge of its high concentration of Vitamin A, fiber and antioxidants, has led to a surge in pecan sales and consumption. The wholeness and nourishment of pecans are not only a preference but also a recommendation by health authorities, offering not only a delightful culinary journey but also the promise of healthier living.

In conclusion, the pecan is a testament to the elegance of nature and man's discerning tastes, a testament that is regally written in the chronicles of America's history. Its journey is one of depth and grandeur, from Native American stashes to European colonists' tables, and today, it graces our homes with its unassuming presence. It serves as a delicacy, a memory, and an inspiration for new discoveries. Perhaps now, understanding its story, one might savor its flavor with a newfound respect, sipping tea in the afternoon, crunching into the warm, nutty sweetness, and reflecting upon the majesty of the pecan.