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"These are the best pecans I've ever had."
That's the kind of praise that makes the hard work of pecan farming worthwhile, according to Frank, a dedicated pecan farmer I had the pleasure of meeting. He allowed me a glimpse into the fascinating world of pecan cultivation, from shaking the trees to sorting and cracking the nuts.
You see, growing up, pecan trees held a unique significance for my family. My dad, as a young man, got a little carried away with his dad's '62 Ford. Let's just say he got caught hot-rodding. His punishment? Planting 18 pecan trees!
Years later, those trees still stand as a testament to a lesson learned (and a delicious reminder!). It sparked a lifelong appreciation for pecans in our family.
So, when the opportunity arose to visit Frank's 400-tree pecan orchard, I jumped at it. I had to see this for myself!
Frank walked me through the entire process. First, there's the tree shaker – a powerful machine that literally grabs the trunk and shakes the pecans loose. The sight of those nuts raining down was incredible!
Next comes the harvester, which scoops up the pecans and separates them from leaves and debris. It's a marvel of engineering, with rotating fingers and conveyor belts working in perfect harmony.
The cleaning process is equally impressive. The nuts are blown with air to remove lighter, bad nuts, leaving behind the cream of the crop. Then, it's on to the cracking machine – a finely tuned device that cracks each nut with just the right amount of pressure, ensuring perfectly halved pecans.
Witnessing the entire operation firsthand gave me a newfound respect for the effort that goes into producing those delicious pecans we often take for granted. It's a labor of love, driven by passion and a dedication to quality.
And you know what? After seeing the care and attention that goes into every step, I can confidently say that those pecans truly are the best I've ever had!
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