Day Trips

Photo by Gerald E. Mcleod

Navarro Pecan Company in Corsicana is one the largest pecan-processing companies in the world, if not the largest. With the capacity to handle 50 million pounds of pecans a year, nobody has more space. The amount of nuts the plant actually shells often depends on the harvest.

"It's hard to say until the harvest is over in February, but this year looks okay," says Austin Nixon, the shelling plant's general manager.

Yes, pecans are an alternating-year crop, Nixon says, but when one region has a down year, another region will have a good crop. Like all agriculture, a lot depends on the weather. The Corsicana company owns no orchards but buys pecans from 16 states where the nuts are grown commercially.

Pecans, cranberries, and sunflowers are Native American foods, Nixon says. The pecan probably originated in the Mississippi River Valley. The nuts have spread to nearly every river system in Texas.

The native pecan is small with a thick shell, but many people favor it for its flavor. Farmers like it because its trees produce reliable crops without the extra work that the improved varieties require. The Navarro Pecan Company, which supplies pecans to nearly every major food producer, shells tons of the native nuts every year.

Nixon says that 25% to 30% of his product is shipped to Europe. Foreign interest in the pecan began rising in the 1990s. The Chinese have become a major buyer of the larger improved varieties. "They like them raw as a snack," he says. "Pecans have become a favorite during Chinese New Year."

Who can blame the Europeans and Chinese for their love of the pecan? High in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats, the pecan has been found to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol, boost the immune system, and help with weight loss. Why, that slice of pecan pie could almost be considered health food, and a handful of pecans definitely is.

You can buy your holiday pecans from the small store at Navarro Pecan Company. It also carries food products from regional manufacturers, including heavenly dark-chocolate-covered pecans and pecan oil that is as healthy as olive oil. The store is located at 2131 Highway 31 E. in Corsicana, east of I-45. Call 800/732-2648 for store hours, or visit www.pecanproducersonline.com for online sales.

Locally grown pecans are also available at Berdoll Pecan Farm's store on Highway 71, 15 miles east of Austin. They carry all kinds of pecan and chocolate products. If you get there after closing time, Berdoll's has a 24-hour vending machine that dispenses delicious pecan pies.

In Seguin, Pape's Pecan House has been selling pecan products for more than 50 years. The retail store at 5440 Highway 123 S. carries a variety of nuts and candies and displays a huge collection of nutcrackers.

1,014th in a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips" 101-200, is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.