The history of pecans can be traced back to the 16″ Century. The Pecan is unique among Tree Nuts as it is indigenous or native only to North America. The Pecan is considered one of the most valuable North American Nut Species.

The trees grew originally in Central and Eastern North America and the river valleys of Mexico. Pecans were widely used by pre-colonial residents; pecans were also favored because they were easier to shell than any other North American nut species. Pecans were also preferred for their flavorful taste and were readily available to North American Tribes in the United States and
Mexico. The tribes also used the pecans as a major food source.

The name “pecan” is a Native American word of Algonquin origin that was used to describe “all nuts requiring a stone to crack.” It is pronounced in various parts of the United States as pih-KAHNS, Pih-KANS, or PEE-kans.