About our Texas-grown pecans
Below are descriptions for the various varieties that we grow at our Texas orchards.
Pawnee
It may seem unusual to find new-crop pecans in mid-September but Pawnee
is the earliest variety available and ripens two to three weeks ahead
of any of the others. Pawnee is a large, full-kernel pecan and gets the
fall season off to a good start.
Choctaw
We sell more Choctaw than any other variety. It is a large nut with meat
that doesn't stick to the shell. This allows it to shell out quickly and
easily. The kernel is darker than most but the flavor is tremendous.
Cheyenne
Cheyenne is the variety of choice if you are looking for a kernel that
is bright and creamy in color. Many of our customers, after sampling each
variety in the store, choose Cheyenne for its "nutty" flavor.
Cheyenne has the thinnest shell of any variety we sell but is usually
not quite as large as some of the others.
Desirable
If you're looking for a nut that is sweet in flavor, Desirable is the
one you want. The shell is thicker than most other varieties but the bright
kernel and unusual flavor make it worthwhile. It is similar in size to
Choctaw and Kiowa.
Kiowa
Kiowa is very similar to Choctaw in size, shape, and flavor but the kernel
is a little lighter in color. Kiowa halves make an impressive gift or
enhance the top of pastries.
Gracross:
This variety is not as popular
as the "Indian" varieties but only because the name is not as
easily recognized. This long, slender pecan produces some of the plumpest
kernels of any we have. The meat is not as bright as Cheyenne but not
as dark as Choctaw. The shell is of average thickness.
Common
questions
Q: Is the
oil in pecans really bad for you?
A: You would expect pecan growers to say, "Of course not!"
But independent studies by medical researchers are showing that pecan
oil is really quite healthy; second only to olive oil. Findings of a major
study will soon be published in the American Journal of Medicine.
Q: How should
I store my pecans?
A: Pecans are rich in oil and therefore perishable. To keep them
at peak flavor store them in the freezer. In-shell pecans have a little
longer shelf life than shelled pecans. In-shell pecans can be stored in
a cool, dry place through the winter but should be put in the freezer
by spring.
Q: How many
cups are in a pound of pecans?
A: One pound of in-shell pecans will provide about two cups of shelled
pecans.
Visit our Pecan Recipes page for great cooking ideas
and nutrition facts!
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