One of most common questions I receive about pecans is about a kernel defect commonly called "kernel fuzz". In the photo at right are two 'Giles' kernels, each covered with patches of brownish tan "fuzz". Using your fingernail, you can easily scrape off the flaky brown patches to reveal a normal looking kernel underneath.
Kernel fuzz is not a disease and the brown material that is adhering to the kernel surface is not dangerous to eat. It only tastes dry and bitter. The fuzzy material on the kernel is actually part of the nut's inside shell packing material.
In a previous post, I presented photos of the nut filling process of 'Giles' pecan nuts. I explained how the expanding kernel compacts both the inner wall partition and the packing material that surrounds the kernel inside the shell. Fuzzy kernels occur when the kernels don't exert enough pressure on the packing material to compact it tightly together and against the shell. This occurs under two circ*mstances--not enough water or not long enough growing season.
Dry weather during kernel fill can inhibit full kernel development, causing poorly filled kernels. These poorly filled kernels are often covered in fuzz especially towards end of the kernel. The 'Giles' kernels pictured above are an excellent example of fuzzy kernels caused by drought.
Growing late-maturing cultivars in an area that doesn't provide enough summer heat also leads to fuzzy kernels. In this case, long-season pecan cultivars just run out of time to fill the kernel before the cool days of fall arrive. Kernel expansion ceases prematurely in response to cooler temperatures and shorter day length. The packing material isn't compressed fully and the result is fuzzy kernels. In Kansas, we find the southern cultivar, 'Stuart', and seedlings of 'Stuart' prone to fuzzy kernels.
FAQs
This fuzz is typically caused by stress such as drought. It is a very common problem on trees with too many pecans. Also nuts maturing on broken limbs generally have a lot of fuzz.
How can you tell if unshelled pecans are bad? ›
Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.
How to crack pecans without nutcrackers? ›
If you don't have a nutcracker, you can still easily extract the meat from pecans in the shell with some basic household tools. Obviously a hammer or a mallet will crack the shells. As fun as it is to bash away at your pecans, it can leave quite a mess.
Why are my pecans not edible? ›
In most cases, the nut inside a green pecan isn't edible because it hasn't had time to fully develop. You'll be able to tell if they taste bitter and have a sticky, soft texture, instead of the buttery, rich, and nutty flavor of a ripe pecan.
What are the fuzzy things on pecan trees? ›
Pecan scab (fungus: Venturia effusa) is a fungal disease of pecans and the most economically important disease in commercial pecan production. Black, fuzzy, round, or elongated lesions develop on actively growing leaves, shoots, and nuts (Figure 5).
Why does my mouth feel weird after eating pecans? ›
If you experience an itchy mouth or ears, scratchy throat, hives on the mouth, or swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat after eating pecans or other related fresh fruits, raw vegetables, or tree nuts, you may suffer from pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) also called oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
What do bad pecans look like? ›
In-shell pecans may start to darken in color when stored amidst high humidity. Store pecans in cool, dry places away from heat: Because pecans contain such a high amount of healthy, plant-based oils, they are prone to going rancid if they spend too long in warm temperatures.
Can bad pecans make you sick? ›
“If a nut is really oxidized, I guarantee you you're not going to get it past your mouth because it just tastes so awful,” says Schaich. But if you do, for some reason, eating the occasional spoiled nut is “no big deal,” because we have enzymes in our stomachs that can essentially incinerate the oxidation byproducts.
What do spoiled pecans taste like? ›
Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.
Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›
You'll find out fast that boiling pecans lessens the likelihood of the shell shattering into a lot of smaller pieces. Boiling shouldn't affect the taste of the pecan, though.
Don't wash pecans. Don't run water over them or even use a damp towel to clean them. Especially in-shell pecans.
What is the toughest nut to crack? ›
One nut you have likely never seen in the shell is the macadamia, and for good reason. Unlike opening a peanut or a pistachio, it takes some serious muscle to extract the edible nut from its shell: 300 pounds of pressure per square inch to be exact, making it the hardest nut in the world to crack!
Is it safe to eat pecans straight from the tree? ›
No, you cannot eat the green nuts that fall off prematurely from the trees as they've still not ripened. Only those nuts that ripen fully by Fall (and hence ready to harvest) are worth eating as they have the rich invigorating flavor you normally associate with nuts.
Why do pecans turn black inside? ›
Answer: Black pecan kernels are caused by stink bugs.
Why do pecan trees not produce every year? ›
Alternate pecan production (on and off years) is mainly the result of inadequate fertilization. When trees set a large nut crop, there are not enough nutrients for both that year's nuts to mature and for the tree to store enough plant food for adequate production in the following year.
Why did my pecans mold? ›
Regardless if the pecans are shelled or unshelled, storing them in a moist room will promote mold growth and may cause the pecans to decrease in quality. Make sure the pecans have an opportunity to dry out after the harvest to remove moisture.
What does a pecan fungus look like? ›
Pecan Scab
It forms small, circular, olive-green to black spots. In more severe cases, it can also attack new twigs and even catkins. The lesions often coalesce, causing the terminals to die and the catkins to drop. Pecan tissues are most susceptible when they are young and actively growing.
What is the downy spot on my pecans? ›
Downy spot is caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella caryigena. This fungus only attacks the leaves and is usually seen in late June or early July. Scab damage depends to a large extent on weather conditions and variety.
What are the cobwebs in my pecans? ›
If you've noticed spiderwebs in your pecan trees, chances are they're not spiders. They're fall webworms. Fall webworms are partial to pecan and persimmon trees but will also feed on other trees, including Bradford pears. These small, hairy caterpillars occur in groups and spin their webs on the ends of tree branches.
