Pecans Nutrition Facts

Is pecan and walnut the same?

Pecans are smaller, sweeter, and cheaper than walnuts, with a higher degree of fiber, monounsaturated fat, and vitamin E. Walnuts are larger, more textured, and more expensive than pecans. They reign supreme in protein content, most micronutrients, and polyunsaturated content.

What is pecans good for?

Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Most of the fat found in pecans is a healthy type called monounsaturated fat. Eating foods with monounsaturated fat instead of foods high in saturated fats (like potato chips) can help lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol.

Is pecan a nut?

In botany terms, nuts are strictly a particular kind of dry fruit that has a single seed, a hard shell, and a protective husk. Chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts fit the true definition of a nut. Peanuts and almonds do not meet the botanical definition of a true nut.

Which is better walnuts or pecans?

Both of them are rich in unsaturated fats. Pecan is richer in monounsaturated fat, while walnut is richer in polyunsaturated fat, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In vitamin content, pecan wins hands down. It is especially richer in vitamin A and vitamin E and considerably higher in vitamins B1 and B5.

How do pecans look like?

Before the nuts begin to drop, they look nothing like the finished product – light brown, dark-striped nuts. The nut forms inside a green husk that gradually browns as it dries and the nut matures. As the pecans mature, the husks begin to crack open, indicating readiness of picking pecans.

Where do pecans come from?

The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a species of hickory native to the southern United States and northern Mexico in the region of the Mississippi River.

How do you eat pecans?

Raw. Raw pecans can be eaten alone, salted or sweetened. In savory dishes, pecans can lend a burst of rich, buttery flavor. Some cooks like to candy pecans and sprinkle them on salads or pastas, especially in combination with rich cheeses like Gorgonzola and blue cheese.

What pecans taste like?

What Do They Taste Like? Pecans have a distinctly sweet and buttery flavor, and a mildly floral, foresty aroma. The outside of the nut is slightly bitter and the flesh within is sweet, buttery, and almost fatty. The nut itself can crumble, almost like a cookie.

Which is healthier pecans or almonds?

Almonds vs Pecans: Which is Healthier? Both almonds and pecans are healthy in small amounts. Almonds are lower in calories and higher in protein, which is typically preferable, but also have a worse omega 3 to 6 fat ratio than pecans.

Can I substitute pecans for walnuts?

If you don’t have pecans, in most recipes walnuts are interchangeable in equal measure, although cooks should keep in mind that pecans have a more delicate flavor. You can also try substituting peanuts, pistachios, cashews, and macadamia nuts for chopped pecans.

How do you tell a walnut from a pecan?

Walnuts are round and resemble a green ball about the size of a baseball with a solid hull over the nut. The hull of the walnut takes a decent amount of work to separate. Pecans are elliptical in shape and have a shuck that remains green until it splits, revealing the nut beneath.

What do walnuts and pecans have in common?

Pecans and walnuts are very similar in their nutritional makeup, as they’re quite closely related. They’re both known for being rich sources of healthy fats, low in carbohydrates, and high in a variety of vitamins and minerals.