Pecans, Pecans and More Pecans

Driving south on Interstate 75 from Atlanta, Georgia, exiting in Tifton, Georgia, we did not miss the huge lighted sign advertising Adcock Pecans.  With Christmas gifts in mind this was a must stop for us.

Since I had my camera I asked permission to take photos with the thought in mind of showing you some gift ideas for this Holiday Season. 

Adcock Pecan Company

801 West 7th Street

Tifton, Georgia

Adcock Pecans market is a very large store mainly featuring pecans and pecan products.  They also have many other  items as well.  It is very easy to go through the market and put together a wonderful gift basket for someone special with the variety of edible items they have available.  They also have already-made-up gift baskets.

The below photo shows a big sign sitting on the table which was filled with pecans.  

It is nice to know that something so delicious is also very healthy.  I checked with Mr. Google and sure enough pecans are known to have antioxidants and plant sterols which reduce high cholesterol by reducing the "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.

Pecans are an excellent source of manganese and a good source of protein and unsaturated fats.  They are also rich in omega-6 fatty acids.

Pecans have a long history here in the United States.  Pecans were popular with the Native Americans.  "Pecan" is from an Algonquian word meaning  - a nut requiring a stone to crack.  Pecans were a major food source during Autumn for many early Native American tribes in the U.S.

Available at Adcock Pecan Company there were Pecan Halves.

And there were Pecan Pieces.

And there were Pecans in the Shell.

Have you ever cracked open a pecan shell!   In our family Christmas would 

not be Christmas without having pecans to crack open.

Lots and lots of Pecans in Shells.

Thomas Jefferson planted pecan trees in his nut orchard at his home in Monticello, Virginia. Also, George Washington reported in his journal that Thomas Jefferson gave him pecans.   He also grew pecans in his garden at his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Today the United States produces between 80% and 95% of the world's pecans.  More than 300 million pounds of pecans are produced every year in the U.S. from more than 10 million trees.   Many of those pecans are exported to China, which has fallen in love with America's native nut.

Pecan Rolls are my most favorite item in the whole store.    They are so delicious.

Adcock Pecans market also had Pecan Oil.  Pecan Oil is considered a healthy oil,  low in saturated fats.  The mild nutty flavor gives this oil a delicious flavor making it a popular component in cooking and in salad dressings and dips.

The following are photos of many more items available at Adcock Pecan Company:

They even have "grits, " a Southern tradition

Are you hungry yet!

My husband's favorite,

 Christmas Fruitcake

The state of Georgia is the leading pecan producing state in the United States followed by Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana and Oklahoma.  Pecans are also grown in Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, South Carolina and even Hawaii.

 Pecans are also grown in Australia, Brazil, China, Israel, Mexico, Peru and South America.

United States Hardiness Zones for Growing Pecans

Zones 5 through 9.

One of the most common desserts using pecans as a main indgredient is the pecan pie, a traditional Southern U.S. dish.  Below is a photo of the pecan pie my grandsons made for our Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Pecan Pie

We enjoyed our visit to the Adcock Pecan Company.  Of course we found some wonderful Christmas gift items to bring home for friends and family.

Adcock Pecan Company has a very nice website where you can purchase Pecans, Peanuts, Fruitcake, Jams, Preserves, Jellies, Fruit Butters, Chutney and Marmalades, No Sugar Spreads, Sugar-Free Syrups, Syrups, Mustard and Relish, Pickles, Dressings, Hot Sauces, BBQ Steak Sauces, Salsa and Dips, Candies, Honey,  and Peanut Butter.  They also have Gift Boxes and Bags available.

If you see something you cannot do without,  Adcock Pecan Company has ONLINE ORDERING,  available at the following site:  

adcockpecans.com

I hope you are enjoying the hustle and bustle of these days leading up to the most important birthday celebration of the year.  Have a wonderful week before Christmas week wherever you may be.