While I’m of the opinion that the highest and most noble use of the pecan involves their placement in a pie, the folks at the Georgia Pecan Commission have higher aspirations. They recently established the Center for Pecan Innovation, with the goal of finding new uses for Carya illinoinensis.
The initial focus of the Atlanta-based center will be new food products made from pecans, according to John Robison, the commission’s chairman.
“The recent 30-year study from Harvard University showing that regular nut eaters were less likely to die of cancer or heart disease is just one more supporting voice to the center, which was established to encourage more companies to find ways to use pecans in their products,” he said.
Beyond that, the commission sees opportunities for biodegradable pecan shells, from roadbeds and packing material to bath products. Cosmetic companies are looking for natural products to replace plastic micro-beads in facial cleansers, and the Journal of Food Science reports that a new study shows that extract from pecan shells may be effective at protecting meats such as chicken from listeria growth.
The US produces the vast majority of the pecans harvested annually – as much as 95 percent, or 300 million to 400 million pounds.
Georgia leads the nation in pecan production, growing 40 percent of the US total, more than the next two states – New Mexico and Texas – combined, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Map showing, in blue, US states where pecans are grown.
“In 2012 Georgia led the nation in pecan production, harvesting 100 million pounds for the domestic and global markets,” Robison said. “China is one of the biggest markets for our in-shell pecans, but there still is tremendous opportunity for companies to use pecan pieces – even the shells. The Center for Pecan Innovation will work to develop new products that use Georgia pecans.”
Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black said the Georgia Pecan Commission is taking a creative approach to agriculture by establishing the center.
“Farmers today do far more than just grow food and fiber,” he said. “They take an active part in promoting their crops to grow their markets, as we have done with our Georgia Grown program. The Center for Pecan Innovation is yet another step to increase awareness for Georgia pecans.”
The Georgia Pecan Commission, begun in 1995, funds research, educational and promotional programs in order to increase demand for Georgia pecans.
The Cotton Boll Conspiracy 
pecans are my favorite nut in all the world.
Oh, I love me some pecans!
I’ve never knowingly eaten a pecan….by your reaction I must be missing something great!
I have guavas on the finca…and make guava jelly. Looking at the seeds after sieving I it seemed a shame to waste them and used them as a footbath (yes, we have a lot of guava).
Instant death to hard skin!
All I need now is a chemist to make it stable and enough money to bribe the health ministry to licence it…
Pecans are wonderful, whether in a pie, coated with chocolate, cinnamon or a honey-glaze, or eaten just plain.
I don’t know that I’ve had a guava. Is it anything like a mango?
I would think you’d have an easier time finding a chemist able to stabilize the guava than the money to adequately and securely bribe the politician.
Good heavens! Since 1995, and that commission can’t figure out that the sole reason folks don’t eat more pecans is because they’re priced so dang high?!
I, too, love me some pee-cans. Pecan pie was my all-time deadliest dessert vice, until I could no longer eat gluten or corn products. Now, the thought makes made sad, sad. But I still have crumbled pecans daily in my gluten-free oatmeal, and would eat twice as many, could I but afford them!
Very interesting post. Shades of Carver and his many ne’er-used peanut products. Wonder if all this pecan promise will turn out to similarly to be just so much pie in the sky.
😉
Yes, same thing with almonds. I love them but they cost a fortune. I’d put pistachios and macadamias in the same category.
My heart goes out to you, having to give up pee-can pie. I’d rather take a beating than not be able to have a good piece of pecan pie with cool whip on top.
Honey, this diet has given me a beating, and then some. Blasted thing. I literally drooled a little inside my mouth when I read your comment. And that pie has to be heated up of course! And made with a little dash of sumpin’ in a bottle.