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Pecans

Juglandaceae species Includes the hickories, walnuts, and pecans

The pecan grows in the rich bottomlands in drier climates.  It is found in the 18 southern states ranging from Georgia to California.  Mexico has a huge crop also.   It is the most important native nut crop of North America.  

 

The nut is grown in the southern United States, usually below Missouri in latitude.    It took four centuries for this nut to become a cultivated crop.  For many decades it was a wild nut and used by American Indians.

Pecans are produced in seven countries - Australia, Canada, India, Israel, Mexico, and West Africa.   They are consumed around the world, wherever domestic nuts are traded.

 

Israel

The pecan tree was first introduced into Israel around 1930.    The crop has grown and is now a commercial crop,  grown in orchards along the Meditterranean Ocean seashore.  Varieties grown include Wichita, Choctaw, Apache, Cammanchee, Texhan, Hastings, Mohawk, Caddo, Sioux, Shawnee, Clark, Cheyenne, Royal, Ideal, and Bradley.

Pecans in Africa

The Republic of South Africa has a small but florishing pecan nut industry that has existed for many years.

The Hican    The HICAN is a cross between the pecan and the Hickories.   Hicans have the long shape of the pecan, but in many ways resemble the hickory tree.   

The largest Hican is the McAlister, which is about 2-1/2" long and more than 1/2" thick.  The McAlister, however, has not been productive so there is no commercial crop.  The Bixby variety is nearly as la

rge as the McAlister.

Many natural crosses between the pecan and other nut crops have been found.   In 1541 Hernando DeSoto came upon a tree in what is present day Arkansas.  The tree was growing abundant nuts on all branches and was described and a "thin shelled walnut".  This could only be the pecan.      

 

 

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Tip of the day

learn how to temper
chocolate  by reading


New Idea

Here is a recipe that you will be sure to love

 

Melt 1 8oz. pkg cream cheese into Half of a jar of Mrs. Richardson's Butterscotch Caramel.  Mix well and place into bowl.  Pour remaining butterscotch caramel over the top of the mixture.  Sprinkle with chopped Pecans.  Cut Granny Smith apples into wedges.  Dip and Enjoy



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Our favorite recipes

Chocolate Caramels

a thoughtful gift

2-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup water
1 cup light cream
1 cup butter 2 sticks)
3 squares unsweetened chocolate
1-1/2 oz piece parafin cut into small pieces (1-1/2" squares)

Combine all ingredients into a 4 quart heavy saucepan.  Stir and cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and butter and parafin are melted.  reduce heat to low, stir occasionally, until mixture reaches 240 degrees. (about 40 minutes)

Continue stirring continuously and vigorously to prevent scourching, to a firm ball stage. (248 degrees).  (another 20 minutes)

Remove from heat and pour into a lightly buttered 9" square pan.   When candy gets firm, mark into 3/4" strips with a knife.  When candy is cool and firm (about 3 hours) cut into strips, remove strips from pan, and cut into squares.  wrap individually with waxed paper.  Makes about 120 caramels or 2-1/2 pounds.

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Little known facts

Caramel and Butterscotch are made in similar ways to toffee, as is fudge. The difference is in the degree of boiling temperature and the ways in which they are cooled. This whole process uses high-heat to convert sugar. Crystallization, graininess, and whether it is brittle or smooth are simply variations of this process.

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Half a century of fun

The Nut Factory started in 1952 as a roaster of peanuts. We are located in Spokane, Washington. Over the years The Nut Factory has grown into a large snack food manufacturer. We ship over 400 product every day to businesses everywhere throughout the United States.

Our history

Other interesting web sites

The Cook's Thesaurus Has Substitutions for Thousands of Ingredients

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Nut and Snack Commodity Market

Here is a wonderful Nut Crop information site.

This site is loaded with walnut facts.

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