General Information

Pecans grow primarily in the southern half of the U.S. and in Mexico with Georgia producing more than one-third of the total U. S. pecan crop.  Harvest usually occurs from November through January, when the nuts are mature.   The pecan nut is smooth and oval-shaped, with a thin, hard shell. Its kernel is golden brown on the outside and tan on the inside. The pecan is the only major nut tree indigenous to the United States.

Pecan trees begin bearing fruit at three to four years, but aren’t fully fertile until they’re about 20 years old, at which point a tree can produce up to 500 pounds annually. Pecan trees may reach a height of 25 -30 meters (75 - 90 feet). The tree’s durable, light-colored wood is valued for furniture and floors, and its wood chips are used often for smoking meat.

Nutmeat Size Chart (count per pound):

• Mammoth Halves: (200-250)
• Junior Mammoth Halves (251-300)
• Jumbo Halves: (301-350)
• Extra-Large Halves:  (351-450)
• Large Halves (451-550)
• Medium Halves (551-650)
• Small (Topper) Halves (651-750)
• Midget Halves (more than 750)
• Mammoth Pieces
• Extra Large Pieces
• Large Pieces
• Large Medium Pieces
• Medium Pieces
• Small Medium Pieces
• Small Pieces
• Midget Pieces
• Meal

Nutmeat Grades:

• Fancy (Highest Grade)
• Nutmeat color is very important for determining the nutmeat grade.  Usually, the lighter the nutmeat, the better the grade.

Inshell Size Classifications (number of nuts per pound):

• Oversize: 55 or less
• Extra Large: (56-63 count per pound)
• Large: (64-77 count per pound)
• Medium: (78-95 count per pound)
• Small: (96-120 count per pound)

Inshell Kernel Color classifications (lighter color indicates better quality):

• Light
• Light Amber
• Amber
• Dark Amber

General Information

• According to USDA Standards, Pecan Halves and Pieces are inspected for their quality characteristics.  Are they:
  • Well dried
  • Well developed
  • Uniform in color, not darker than amber and
  • Free from damage, shell, center wall and foreign material?
• Nutmeat Characteristics:
  • Color: Light, light amber to amber.
  • Texture: firm, crunchy
  • Flavor: rich, long lasting, versatile.
  • Aroma: Sweet
  • Nutrition: High in protein, high in mono-unsaturated fat, low in saturated fat, low in sodium, contains no cholesterol.

Fancy Jumbo Pecan Halves

Fancy Jumbo Pecan Halves Specifications

Microbiological

Miscellaneous

Pecan Nutritional Information

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference,

Release 15, August 2002.  All nuts are whole Natural.