The Pecan Tree: Where Does It Grow?

Many people always assume that pecans are a southern nut. This is most likely because first of all, Georgia grows a large amount of Pecans, and secondly because pecan pie is such a distinctly southern dessert. Not many holidays go by without at least a pecan dish of some kind gracing the table. Most learn that pecan trees are a tough tree that can grow in over half of the United States and as far north as southern Canada.

The pecan tree actually originated in Texas and Oklahoma and spread outward from there. Native Americans found the pecan nutritious, easy to store, and easy to trade with. It wasn't until recently, though, that pecan trees were discovered deep in the wilds of places like Wisconsin and Illinois. This is heartening because it means that if the rugged pecan tree can withstand the weather shifts of those states then it's likely it can be adapted to grow in even colder climates.

There are actually over 500 species of pecans in existence so it's not terribly surprising that some species of the tree would be able to withstand cruel northern winters. In fact, the tree itself can produce nuts for well over 100 years. The only difference between the varieties of pecans is the shape and a slight flavor difference. This is to be expected given different soil compositions, sunlight and heat availability, and access to a water source. The pecan you eat has everything to do with where it was grown.

However, if you're going to attempt to grow your own pecan tree, it's important to buy the right one. Because there are over 500 species, picking the tree that's best for your particular climate can be a challenge and is definitely a game of patience. For instance, the "Desirable" pecan tree species is native to Mississippi so it will thrive and produce best in warm, humid climates like that of Georgia or Florida. But the "Wichita" variety grows best in western and central Texas because it thrives best in arid environments. But be prepared to wait. Even the most precocious of pecan trees, the ones that bear nuts of the fastest, still take about five years.

The fact that the pecan tree originated in Texas makes it easy to believe that this is a sturdy tree given the climate variety of the Lone Star State. Recent discoveries of the tree in harsh, cold environments lead one to believe that what is known about the pecan tree is only getting started. All of this is great news because it means that no matter where you spend your time eating at the table (especially during the holidays, which is the time of year when pecans sell the best), you'll be able to have some delicious, locally grown, pecan pie.

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Posted in: Pecan,Where

Popcorn - A Great Treat And Family Tradition, But What Is It And Where Does It Come From?

By reading this article, you'll come away with a few golden nuggets of information that'll guarantee you the reputation of "smartest" guy or gal in the room. That is, if someone asks the right question... and, based on the popularity of this search query, you surely don't want to gamble on those odds, do you?

That delicious buttered, gourmet flavored, or plain unseasoned treat you habitually snack on while at the movies, while enjoying a good game or playing cards with the family started with some serious research and development by scientists, then relied on a smart farmer. A smart farmer who knew which of the six kinds of corn to raise in order for it to turn into the fluffy, delicious, and nutritious snack you'll consume, on average, at the rate of 54 quarts each year. He (or she) also needed to know all about how to plant, care for, and harvest this plant.

The scientific name for the type of corn that pops is Zea Mays Everta. There are three main components of the kernels of this kind of corn that are important to know:

•One is the "endosperm". It's made up of granules of starch, both hard and soft. It's a carbohydrate that provides energy

•The "germ, or "embryo" is the living part of the corn kernel - it uses this energy from the carbohydrate

•The "pericarp" is the outer hull of the kernel, and is made up of cellulose. It's usually white or yellow, though it can also be red, black, or other colors

The science behind growing corn that pops into perfect specimens involves breeding for genetic traits, inbreeding that eventually leads to the breeder being able to identify, segregate, and save the seed of the most desirable plant, then inbreed again to continue the process to end up with the most perfect specimen. It takes eight years of this breeding process to end up with a selection that is stable and no longer segregating. Then, two of those inbred selections are crossed to produce a hybrid. It is that hybrid kernel that is planted and harvested by the farmer. It's then shipped to the supermarket or specialty popcorn shop, where it's made available to you, the customer.

Most popcorn is raised by farmers in the "corn belt" of the United States; Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio. These farmers need to know how far apart to plant the popcorn, how much moisture to provide it, and how to tell when it's ready to harvest. The percentage of moisture in the kernels of corn has everything to do with how well it will pop. Ideally that percentage is usually 16-20% at the time of harvesting, though there are considerable cleaning, sorting and polishing processes performed after harvesting that leads to the reduction of moisture content to about 14%, considered ideal for best popping.

Popcorn pops when the internal temperature of the kernel reaches 400 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. The popping takes place because the moisture bound within the endosperm turns to steam. Since the pericart (or hull) is hard, pressure builds up within the kernel. The starch inside becomes soft like gelatin and moisture vaporizes until the pressure in the kernel reaches 135 pounds per square inch! This pressure increases until the pericart (hull) ruptures and the gelatinized starch granules puff out. Literally, the kernel turns inside out, and what you see on the outside, the white part of the popped kernel, is the endosperm.

This is just a brief and simplified summary of what popcorn is, and how it pops. Even so, you've hopefully gained a greater appreciation for the skills, knowledge, and work required to bring this "simple", delicious, and nutritious snack to the marketplace. And, if you've enjoyed learning some background about this popular treat, you'll naturally have the desire to pass this information on to others who may consider "popping" this frequently asked question.

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Posted in: Family,Great,Popcorn,Tradition,Treat,Where