Fresh Pecans - Facts & Tips

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Fresh pecans are hands down one of the best tasting nuts around. Not only are they fab for snacking on with their buttery-sweet goodness, but fresh pecans have the perfect flavor to use in a number of tasty desserts and dishes. Fresh pecans grow on pecan trees and are harvested each year in the fall. The pecan tree is the largest member of the Hickory family and is one of the longest living nut trees. It can produce fresh pecans for up to 300 years or longer.

In addition to being delicious, fresh pecans are really good for you. They contain antioxidants and can help fight the buildup of LDL cholestorol. Additionally, they are packed with vitamins and nutrients like A,E, several B vitamins, calcium, potassium and more, plus they contain mostly unsaturated fat, making them heart-healthy. There have also been studies done that indicate that some of the nutrients in pecans may improve glucose and insulin stability in diabetics, and that eating nuts may help to decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes in women.

For the freshest taste, you should buy unshelled pecans. When choosing unshelled fresh pecans, look for heavy pecans with shells that aren't cracked, and make sure they don't rattle when you shake them. If you choose instead to buy shelled pecans, look for plump pecans rather than wrinkled ones.

Pecans shouldn't be stored at room temperature because they have a high oil content and will spoil after a few months. Fresh pecans store well at cooler temperatures, however, and can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 months, or can be frozen for up to two years. When refridgerating or freezing fresh pecans, you should store them in a sealed plastic bag because pecans absorb odors. Being around smelly stuff may change the taste of the pecan, so you want to be sure they are sealed and protected from other food when you store them.