Description

History / Background:

Pecans have their origins in prehistory. Fossil remains found in Texas and the northern part of Mexico indicate that the pecan was here and producing long before Native Americans came on the scene.

The American Indian built his very life and his nomadic existence around the pecan tree and its life-sustaining nut. Archaeologists have shown a major concentration of Indian campsites in the immediate areas of the heaviest native pecan stands. The earliest recorded writings on the pecan by Cabeza de Vaca nearly 600 years ago indicate that the Indian planned his movements and activities around the maturity of the pecan nut.

Types (shelled):

	Fancy Mammoth Halves
	Fancy Junior Mammoth
	Fancy Bakers
	Large Pecan Pieces
	Medium Pecan Pieces
	Small Pieces
	Pecan Meal

Growing Regions:

USA (Arizona, Georgia, Texas), Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora)

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Analysis*:

* Nutrition Information is based on dried pecans.

Disclaimer: The range of values obtained through various private and government investigators are true and accurate to the best knowledge. Variations may occur due to crop differences year to year. Analysis and ranges of values obtained by various private and governmental sources may vary from actual data obtained from current and future crop years.

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Size classifications for pecan halves:

Size classifications for pecan pieces*:

* Tolerances for size of pecan pieces:

Metric Conversion Table:

 Standard Packing for shelled pecans:

Size classification for pecans in the shell¬ :

Kernel color classification for pecans in the shell:

1. The skin color of pecan kernels may be described in terms of the color classifications provided in this section. When the color of kernels in a lot generally conforms to the ``light'' or ``light amber'' classification, that color classification may be used to describe the lot in connection with the grade.

   1. ``Light'' means that the outer surface of the kernel is mostly golden color or lighter, with not more than 25 percent of the outer surface darker than golden, none of which is darker than light brown.

   2. ``Light amber'' means that more than 25 percent of the outer surface of the kernel is light brown, with not more than 25 percent of the outer surface darker than light brown, none of which is darker than medium brown.

   3. ``Amber'' means that more than 25 percent of the outer surface of the kernel is medium brown, with not more than 25 percent of the outer surface darker than medium brown, none of which is darker than dark brown (very dark-brown or blackish-brown discoloration).

   4. ``Dark amber'' means that more than 25 percent of the outer surface of the kernel is dark brown, with not more than 25 percent of the outer surface darker than dark brown (very dark-brown or blackish-brown discoloration).

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture kernel color standards, Pec-MC-1, consisting of plastic models of pecan kernels, illustrate the color intensities implied by the terms ``golden,'' ``light brown,'' ``medium brown'' and ``dark brown'' referred to in paragraph (a) of this section. These color standards may be examined in the Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250; in any field office of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Service; or upon request of any authorized inspector of such service. Duplicates of the color standards may be purchased from NASCO, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538.

 Standard Packing for pecans in the shell:

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