National Pecan Day

Each year, National Pecan Day is celebrated on April 14th in the United States. It's a great day to enjoy these nuts as a snack, to make pecans or to make pecan pralines.

History of Pecans

Pecans are a fairly common nut among Native Americans. In fact, they are a staple of their diet, especially during the fall months. Native Americans also used them to make nut milk called powcohicora. First, the pecans are ground into a powder and then fermented before being made into a drink.

Over the years, Native Americans began to switch from foraging wild pecans to cultivating pecans. When European settlers began to appear in North America, they would trade these pecans with them. American colonists began planting pecans since the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the United States produces more than 80% of the world's supply of pecans.

The pecan tree is the only major tree with the origin from Americas and has not been found anywhere else in the world. They're popular in the southern United States, which is why pecans are commonly used in everything from pies to pecan pralines. Pecans means nut that needs a stone to crack that are a member of the hickory family. These nuts are so popular and loved in the United States that they even earn their own holiday.

Why National Pecan Day?

Known as a plant native to North America, pecans are proven to be a good source of zinc, phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, magnesium and several other minerals and antioxidants. Pecans are so healthy that they should have a special day to honor their delicious taste for humans. Nuts can be consumed alone or can be used to make pies, cookies and more to add color and flavor to your meals. It can be had in both savory and sweet forms, making it the most versatile snack ever. To honor the flavor of these pecans, National Pecan Day is celebrated once a year on 14th April. It's a celebration of these amazing nuts and also a reason to enjoy the taste of nuts.

History of National Pecan Day

There is no official information on how this day originated or who historically initiated the celebration of this day. We also do not know when the first day is celebrated. However, we do know that the Hu people have a very ancient history and that they originated from the north and east of the Americas. It was in the 16th century when pecans were first introduced to Europeans, who were actually Spanish explorers to Mexico, Louisiana, and Texas.

Interesting facts about National Pecan Day

Here are some fun facts about pecans to know on this special day.

• Pecans were originally called nuez de al arruga by the Spanish explorers who were the first Europeans to encounter pecans because this term literally translates to wrinkled seeds that are derived from the appearance of pecans.
• The name pecan is derived from the Algonquin word pacane, the Native American language, which means a grain that can be cracked with a stone.
• Pecans were carried into space by astronauts during their trip to the moon aboard Apollo twice.
• During the Second World War, roasted pecans were used as a substitute for coffee beans.
• More than 80% of the world's pecans are from the United States, which demonstrates that these trees are native to North America.
• The famous Pecan pie was invented by the French settlers in New Orleans using these pecans.
• Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, pecans are a healthy part of a balanced diet.
• The pecan tree can live up to 200 years.
• One ounce of pecans can provide you with 10% of the fiber you need.
• Albany in Georgia is considered the pecan capital of the world with over 600,000 pecans in it. In fact, people use a pecan to make the handle for the Atlanta Olympics torches in 1996.

How to celebrate National Pecan Day

You can choose one of many interesting ways to celebrate National Pecan Day by yourself. If you're wondering how you can make this day a day to remember, we have a few suggestions to guide you here.

• You can enjoy your favorite pecans recipes. It could be a gorgeous pecans pie or a simple bowl of roasted pecans. Just grab your favorite pecans and enjoy it this day.
• You can also make your own batch of cupcakes using pecans.
• If you don't like sugar, you can try sugar-coated pecans that are easy to make at home. Pecans can also make the best toppings for your salad if you're diet conscious.
• Make your favorite pecans recipe and share it with your friends and family.
• You can gather with friends and family and allow each of you to share your favorite pecans recipe and why they love it so much.

Celebrate this nutritious day with lots of fun and delicious food, and share your thoughts, recipes, and other ideas about pecans online with #NationalPecanDay on your posts.